Aus enter semis after rain washes out clash with Afg

With the Group B showdown between Afghanistan and Australia ending without a result at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Friday, Australia qualified for the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy.

- Samreen Razzaqui

NEW DELHI:

Despite a spirited show in the tournament, Afghanistan's fate hangs in the balance as they still have an outside mathematical shot at qualifying. The two sides stepped into the match knowing that rain could play spoilsport and in case of a washout, Australia would qualify basis a superior net run-rate.

For Afghanistan to still have a shot at the semi-finals and move up to second spot in the standings, England will have to beat South Africa by at least 207 runs if they bat first. If they bat second, they will have to chase down the target within 11.1 overs.