The 7th match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, highly anticipated and set to be played between World Champion Australia and South Africa in Rawalpindi on 25 February, unfortunately, fell victim to the whims of the weather. Rain, which had been pouring down since morning, dashed all expectations by preventing even the toss from taking place. The field, flooded due to the relentless downpour, made it clear that play was not possible. After a lengthy wait of about 4 hours, the match was officially canceled, with both teams having to settle for a share of the points, 1 point each.
Initially, the match was scheduled to start at 2:30 pm Indian time, but the rain intervened, delaying the toss that was supposed to happen at 2:00 pm. The pitch was covered, and despite the anticipation, the rain eventually led to the cancellation of the entire match. This turnout means that both Australia and South Africa will have to look at other matches to secure their places in the semi-finals, adding an extra layer of excitement to the remaining Group B encounters.
Excitement Builds in Group B
The cancellation of the Australia vs South Africa match has significant implications for the tournament, especially considering the upcoming match between England and Afghanistan scheduled for 26 February. This encounter essentially becomes a knockout match for both teams, each having lost their first match. The outcome of this match will decide which team stays in the race for the semi-finals and which will be eliminated from the tournament. So far, hosts Pakistan and Bangladesh have been ousted from the competition, and the match between England and Afghanistan will determine the third team to leave the tournament.
Looking at the current standings in Group B, both South Africa and Australia are tied with 3 points each, but South Africa holds the top spot due to a better net run rate. Australia is positioned second, with England following closely in third. Afghanistan, having lost its first match, finds itself at the bottom of the group. The dynamics of Group B are indeed heating up, making each upcoming match crucial for the teams’ chances to advance to the semi-finals. The war for the semi-finals in Group B has become even more intense, with every match from now on being potentially decisive for the teams involved.