Australia certain to reach Champions Trophy semi-finals with win over Afghanistan

A semi-final berth at the ICC Champions Trophy awaits Australia if Steve Smith’s team can beat Afghanistan.

Australia will be wary of a “dangerous” Afghanistan in Friday night’s ICC Champions Trophy clash in Lahore, where a loss could end the Steve Smith-captained team’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the one-day international tournament.

Tuesday night’s scheduled clash between Australia and South Africa in Rawalpindi was washed out without a ball being bowled.

It left both teams on three points, with the South Africans in first place on the Group B ladder thanks to a superior net run rate.

Afghanistan and England are both yet to register a point ahead of their clash on Wednesday night in Lahore.

Regardless of the result in that match, the Australians will secure a top-two Group B berth, which brings with it a place in the semi-finals, by beating Afghanistan.

However, a loss could send Smith’s men home early.

A washout in the #AUSvSA clash shakes up Group B’s road to the #ChampionsTrophy semi-finals 👀

Here’s what it means for each team 👇https://t.co/Yt6zOjs6zp

— ICC (@ICC) February 25, 2025

“Our equation’s pretty simple now,” Smith said

“Onto the next one against Afghanistan. If we win, we’re locked in the top four.”

The Australians won’t make the mistake of underestimating Afghanistan, particularly after the 2023 World Cup.

Chasing 292 to win, Australia seemed certain to lose after slumping to 7-91 before a superb innings of 201 not out off just 128 ball from Glenn Maxwell guided his team to a remarkable victory with more than three overs to spare.

“They’re a dangerous side on their day,” Smith said of an Afghanistan team that includes star spinner Rashid Khan.

“That’s the beauty of this tournament. With the eight best teams coming up against it, anyone can have a good day.

“We’re going to have to be on (for our) next game.”

Smith said Tuesday night’s washout wasn’t “ideal”.

“I did look on the weather (app) a couple of days ago and saw a few days of rain, but I didn’t expect it to be washed out … but can’t do much about it,” the star batsman said.

Incessant rain forces the Group B #ChampionsTrophy contest between Australia and South Africa to be called off 🌧#AUSvSA

More âž¡ https://t.co/yT4F7I2FDhpic.twitter.com/jDPoRA9KmT

— ICC (@ICC) February 25, 2025

Smith said the Australian team was set to be “a little bit different” to the side that beat England by five wickets last Saturday.

“Then when we were watching the rain fall, we were probably looking at another team for a rain-reduced game,” he said.

“You’ve got to think on your feet for these kind of things. We’ve got a good squad of 15 players and you’ve got to utilise them as well as you can.”

Meanwhile, Smith is set to play in English cricket’s Hundred competition for the first time after signing a deal with Welsh Fire for this year’s edition of the tournament.

“I’ve watched the Hundred from afar and I can’t wait to be involved,” Smith said in an England and Wales Cricket Board statement.

The Fire is coached by former star Australian batsman Mike Hussey.