England have been given clarity in their bid to qualify for the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy after Australia’s clash with South Africa in Rawalpindi was rained off.
Jos Buttler’s side now know that wins over Afghanistan in Lahore on Wednesday and then South Africa in Karachi on Saturday, both live on Sky Sports, will be enough to reach the last four – and that a defeat in either match will see them dumped out.
Australia and South Africa took a point apiece from Tuesday’s washout and now sit on three each after beating England and Afghanistan respectively in their opening games of the tournament.
How it stands in Group B ahead of England vs Afghanistan on Wednesday
Persistent drizzle prevented any play in Rawalpindi, with the umpires eventually calling the match off at 12.15pm UK time with no prospect of a reduced 20-over contest taking place.
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Highlights as Ryan Rickelton’s century helped South Africa to a convincing win over Afghanistan
South Africa remain top of the group on net run-rate after the 107-run drubbing of Afghanistan in Karachi, with Australia in second place following their five-wicket victory over England, in which they chased an ICC tournament record 352 in Lahore.
Leeds-born Coventry City fan Josh Inglis scored 120 not out off 86 balls for Australia as Ben Duckett’s Champions Trophy-record innings of 165 came in vain for England.
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Highlights from Australia’s five-wicket win over England as Josh Inglis and Ben Duckett starred
India and New Zealand have already qualified from Group A courtesy of back-to-back victories, with those results eliminating host nation Pakistan as well as Bangladesh.
The only things left to be decided in that pool are who tops the table and who picks up the wooden spoon.
Winless Pakistan and Bangladesh meet in Rawalpindi on Thursday, before unbeaten India and New Zealand lock horns in Dubai on Sunday in the final match of the group stages.
Watch England vs Afghanistan live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 8.30am on Wednesday (9am first ball).
Jos Buttler’s England will reach the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy if they win their final two group games against South Africa and Afghanistan
What’s next for Australia and South Africa?
Australia conclude their Group B campaign versus Afghanistan in Lahore on Friday (9am), before South Africa vs England takes place in Karachi on Saturday (9am).
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Sky Sports News’ James Cole explains the format of the ICC Champions Trophy as it makes a return after eight years
Champions Trophy 2025 – results/fixtures 🏏
All games 9am UK time; all live on Sky Sports
Group A
Group B
Semi-finals
- March 4: Semi-final – A1 v B2 (Dubai)
- March 5: Semi-final 2 – A2 v B1 (Lahore)
Final
- March 9: Final (Lahore or Dubai)
