The highly anticipated Champions Trophy clash between Australia and South Africa in Rawalpindi ended in disappointment as persistent drizzle forced an abandonment without even a toss. The match was officially called off at 5:10 PM local time, more than three hours after the scheduled start at 2:00 PM and well before the 7:32 PM cut-off for a possible 20-over contest. This would have been the first-ever Champions Trophy meeting between the two teams.
Semi-Final Scenarios: What Happens Next?
With this washout, Australia and South Africa remain in control of their semi-final destiny. If both teams win their final group-stage matches—Australia against Afghanistan and South Africa against England—they will advance to the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, England vs Afghanistan, scheduled for tomorrow, is now a do-or-die encounter. The losing team will be eliminated, while the winner must secure another victory in their final group match to keep their semi-final hopes alive. This scenario effectively turns Australia’s match against Afghanistan and South Africa’s clash with England into potential virtual quarter-finals. Both England and Afghanistan must win back-to-back games to qualify for the knockout stage.
South Africa Await Heinrich Klaasen’s Fitness Update
With no playing XIs announced due to the rain, South Africa provided no clarity on Heinrich Klaasen’s availability. The wicketkeeper-batsman missed their opening match against Afghanistan due to an elbow injury but now gets three extra days to recover before facing England on Saturday.
Australia Still Hold the Edge Over South Africa in ICC Events
This match was supposed to be the first meeting between Australia and South Africa since their 2023 ODI World Cup semi-final, which Australia won. Historically, Australia holds a slight edge over South Africa in ICC events, with four wins to South Africa’s three in their nine ICC tournament encounters. The infamous 1999 World Cup semi-final tie and now this rain-induced washout add to their intriguing history.
If Australia and South Africa are to meet again in this tournament, it will have to be in the final—setting up the possibility of a thrilling rematch on the grandest stage.