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After England’s elimination, here’s a look at the three contenders from Group B for the Champions Trophy semifinal spots.
Three teams still in race for semifinals from Group B. (AP Photo)
Afghanistan‘s roaring win over England in a thrilling Champions Trophy 2025 clash on Wednesday night has kept their hopes of entering the semifinals alive. However, it’s curtains for England who suffered their second defeat of the competition to crash out from the semifinals race.
The teams have already punched their tickets for the last-four stage from Group A with India and New Zealand advancing while Pakistan and Bangladesh being eliminated. Group B is still wide open with as many as three teams including Australia, South Africa and Afghanistan still in contention.
We take a look at how each team can still qualify for the semifinals
Australia
The current ODI world champions started their tournament with a record-breaking chase against old rivals England. They would’ve hoped to seal their semifinal spot against South Africa but for rain that forced a complete washout. The result no-result means that the Steve Smith-led outfit has now three points from two games and a win over Afghanistan in their third and final Group B fixture. However, even if Australia’s final game is abandoned for any reason, they will still qualify thanks to them having one-point advantage over Afghanistan.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan got the better of England in a must-win game and now have two points from as many games. They are third on the Group B points table behind table-toppers South Africa (3 points) and Australia (3 points). Afghanistan have to face Australia in their final group match and a win would give them the semifinal spot. A defeat will end their hopes. In case of a washout, which means they take their tally to three points, Afghanistan will hope South Africa, who have a superb net run-rate of 2.140, suffer a massive defeat to England in order to help them qualify.
South Africa
Should South Africa defeat England, they will qualify for the semis. However, even if they lose, South Africa can still qualify but for that, Australia will have to beat Afghanistan.
