Champions Trophy 2025: Afghanistan's win over England turn on the heat in Group B

Just when everyone thought the ICC Champions trophy was smooth sailing...
Just when it seemed like there'd be no upsets in this mega event...

BOOM!

Team Afghanistan storms in and shakes up Group B!

The race for a final-four spot is now wide open. Who will make it to the semifinals? The battle goes right down to the wire!

Afghanistan’s thrilling win over England has kept their hopes for a semi-final spot alive but for England it’s all curtains.

Afghanistan will join Australia and South Africa, who split points after a washout on Tuesday, in a final push for the knockouts.

Let us try to find out how each of the three teams can reach the last four.

Points table at the moment for the Group B

South Africa- 3 points (from 2 matches and 1 win)
Australia- 3 points (from 2 matches and 1 win)
Afghanistan- 2 points (from 2 matches, 1 win and 1 loss)
England- 0 points (from matches, 0 wins)

Afghanistan: ‘Jazba abhi baaki hain’

Afghanistan now faces Australia next. Just one point behind Australia and South Africa, Friday’s match in Lahore can be called a virtual quarter-final.

A win secures a semi-final spot, but a loss could end their dream. It’s all on the line for Afghans and they will not leave any stone unturned for this match.

Australia: Almost qualified?

The ODI world champions would have wanted to secure their semi-final spot against South Africa but god had other plans and rain washed out the match.

Despite this, they can still qualify by beating Afghanistan. If rain disrupts again, their one-point lead could see them through. But a win is what the yellow brigade would want. It’s all to play for!

South Africa: It is a crunch time for the Proteas!

A win against England in their final group-stage match will secure South Africa’s spot in the semi-finals.

But even if they lose, they still have a chance—if Australia beats Afghanistan.

However, if England wins and Afghanistan stuns Australia, it’ll come down to Net Run Rate, with South Africa and Australia battling it out for the last spot.

Get ready for some electrifying matches ahead!

The stakes are high, and the competition is fierce. Which team do you think will take the semi-finals spots?