RAWALPINDI: Australia qualified for the Champions Trophy semifinals on Friday after their Group B match against Afghanistan ended without a result in persistent rain in Lahore on Friday.
Chasing 274 for victory at Qaddafi Stadium, Australia were 109-1 in 12.5 overs when rain stopped play, giving them four points in their three games.
Afghanistan, who have three points from two games, need England to beat South Africa by a big margin in Karachi on Saturday to sneak into the last four on net run-rate.
Afghanistan’s -0.99 net run-rate is inferior to South Africa’s 2.14 despite beating former world champions England by eight runs in Lahore on Wednesday.
Australia were well placed to chase down the target with opener Travis Head not out after a 40-ball 59 not out spiced with nine boundaries and a six.
Steve Smith was unbeaten on 19 after Matthew Short was dismissed for 20.
Heavy rain stopped play and as water pooled in the stadium the umpires ended the match at 20:55 (1555 GMT)
Afghanistan had totalled 273 all out in 50 overs after they winning the toss and batting.
Sediqullah Atal hit 85 and all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai 67 as they sought a win to seal a semifinal berth.
In overcast conditions, Afghanistan lost opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz for nought in the first over to Spencer Johnson.
Ibrahim Zadran, hero of Afghanistan’s win over England in the first match with the highest-ever Champions trophy score of 177, added 67 for the second wicket with Atal before he fell for 22 to spinner Adam Zampa.
Atal and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (20) put on 68 for the fourth wicket before Australia fought back with four wickets for just 40 runs.
Atal’s 95-ball innings included six fours and three sixes.
At 199-7 Afghanistan were in danger of being dismissed for a below-par total, but Omarzai held the innings together, smashing five sixes in a 63-ball knock and adding an invaluable 74 runs with the last three wickets.
Rashid Khan chipped in with a 17-ball 19 with two boundaries.
Ben Dwarshuis was the best Australian bowler with 3-47. Zampa took 2-48 and Johnson finished with 2-49.
Australia in Champions Trophy semis after rain hit Afghanistan’s chances
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Australia in Champions Trophy semis after rain hit Afghanistan’s chances
- Afghanistan had totalled 273 all out in 50 overs after they winning the toss and batting
- Australia were 109-1 in 12.5 overs when rain stopped play, giving them technical victory
Iran cannot participate in World Cup, sports minister says
- “Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” Donyamali said
- “Our children are not safe and, fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist“
TEHRAN: Iran cannot participate in the 2026 World Cup after co-host the United States launched airstrikes against the country alongside Israel, killing its leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, sports minister Ahmad Donyamali said on Wednesday.
The United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran nearly two weeks ago, killing the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader, leading to a region-wide conflict in the Gulf.
“Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” the minister told state television.
The World Cup will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
“Our children are not safe and, fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist,” Donyamali said.
“Given the malicious actions they have carried out against Iran, they have forced two wars on us over eight or nine months and have killed and martyred thousands of our people. Therefore, we certainly cannot have such a presence.”
In the draw last December, the Iranians were grouped with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand. All three of their Group G matches were scheduled to take place in the US, two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.
Iran was the only nation missing from a FIFA planning summit for World Cup participants held last week in Atlanta.
Reuters has contacted FIFA for comment.
