Australia certified for the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy on the expense of Afghanistan as their match in Lahore was deserted following heavy rain.
Sediqullah Atal’s composed 85 helped Afghanistan submit a aggressive, if not particularly threatening, whole of 273 on one other batter-friendly floor on the Gaddafi Stadium.
His 95-ball innings included three sixes and 6 fours, whereas Azmatullah Omarzai contributed a brisk 67 off 63 balls, hammering 5 sixes.
Ben Dwarshuis completed because the decide of Australia’s bowlers with 3-47, whereas fellow left-arm seamer Spencer Johnson and leg-spinner Adam Zampa picked up two wickets every.
Maybe with a watch on the climate forecast, and any doable revised whole beneath the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern technique, Australia started the chase with actual intent.
Opener Travis Head rode his luck and punished Rashid Khan’s drop off Fazalhaq Farooqi initially of the fourth over, when he was on six, by whipping the Afghanistan fast over the ropes for a most the following ball.
Head raced to 59 in 40 balls and, with 165 runs wanted from 37.1 overs, he and Steve Smith regarded nicely set for Australia earlier than a heavy downpour left swimming pools of water on the outfield and situations unplayable.
The outcome means Australia have 4 factors and can undergo as winners of Group B if England beat South Africa in Karachi on Saturday.
Afghanistan can mathematically nonetheless attain the semi-finals however it could require an enormous victory by England to allow them to overtake the Proteas’ internet run charge.
Ought to South Africa triumph – or if their sport is washed out – they’ll progress as group winners and Australia will undergo as runners-up.
Each semi-finals and the ultimate have reserve days ought to they be affected by climate.
