Champions Trophy 2025 Semi-Final Qualification Scenario: How Group B Stands After AUS vs SA Wash Out?

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Champions Trophy 2025 Semi-Final Qualification Scenario: Australia or South could have got one step closer to confirming their last four berth from Group B, but the two sides had to settle for a point-each after their all-important clash in Rawalpindid on Tuesday (February 25) was abandoned due to rain.

Both Steve Smith's Australia and Temba Bavuma's South Africa had already secured wins over England and Afghanistan respectively before their meeting at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, which saw persistent rain wash out tehe match even without the toss.

The sharing of points between the two top teams, who were favourites after their opening games, has left Group B hanging in the balance as all four teams still remain alive in the race to reach the semi-finals.

India and New Zealand confirmed their semi-final berths from Group A after victories over Pakistan and Bangladesh, but Group B is expected go down to the wire. Here is a look at their qualification scenarios and who are the favourites to join India and New Zealand in the Champions Trophy semi-finals:

Champions Trophy 2025 Group B Semi-Final Qualification Scenarios

South Africa: As per ICC, Bavuma's side are well-poised to progress thanks to their 107-run thumping win over Afghanistan which boosted their NRR to +2.140. The Proteas will go through if they beat England in their final game. Even if they lose to England, South Africa can still progress if England lose to Afghanistan.

Australia: Like South Africa, Smith's Aussies will also have their qualification hopes in their own hands. The two-time Champions Trophy winners will need a win against Afghanistan in their final fixture to progress through to the semi-finals. A defeat to Afghanistan will mean, Australia will have to depend on South Africa beating England.

England: Jos Buttler and Co will need to win both of their remaining games to have a shot at qualification, having lost their opening game against Australia. The fate of all four teams in the group will hinge upon England's game against Afghanistan on Wednesday (February 26).

If both Australia and South Africa lose their final group stage fixtures, the winner between England and Afghanistan will progress through to the semis. Even if Australia beat Afghanistan, England can progress with wins over Afghanistan and South Africa.

Afghanistan: Having suffered a huge loss to open their campaign, Afghans find themselves relying on other results and their own results to keep hopes alive of progress. Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side will have to get the better of both England and Australia to stand a chance at qualification.

Champions Trophy 2025 - Group B Remaining Matches

• February 26, Wednesday: Afghanistan vs England - Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
• February 28, Friday: Afghanistan vs Australia - Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
• March 1, Saturday: South Africa vs England - National Stadium, Karachi

Champions Trophy 2025 - Group B Points Table After AUS vs SA

M - Matches played; W - Won, L - Lost, T - Tied, NR - No Result; PTS - Points; NRR - Net Run Rate. Note: Top two at the end of the league phase on March 1, progress to the semi-final of the Champions Trophy.

Group B Qualfication Scenario for all four teams

* indicates which team has the better Net Run Rate (NRR) among Australia and South Africa will progress depending on the results going as per the above table provided by ICC.