So many teams are still left among the living ones. And now almost nearing the end in ICC Champions Trophy 2007 is Group B. At the top with three points each are South Africa and Australia – one match win and one match washed out by rain. They square off on Friday as Australia’s second team battles third-placed Afghanistan – and for Australia, nothing less will do than a win for semi-final tournament progression. It is not the only option of deciding a winner, as the elucidation of the weather conditions in Lahore could play a vital role in such a turn of events.
After a dramatic win against England, the Aussies kicked off their campaign in this tournament only for the much-anticipated clash with South Africa being washed out due to incessant rains. The performance has been very mixed for the Afghanistan team but buoyed by a one-set victory over England, heading into the battle with Australia. It followed a crushing defeat of 107 runs in their first tournament match against South Africa.
Weather report for Australia vs Afghanistan:
Accuweather reports that around 71% chances of rain remain in the city under this condition today (Friday). Most likely, the contest between Australia and Afghanistan will be a stop-start match where the full possibility of a 50-over-per-side match remains very unlikely.
What happens if the match gets washed out?
A washed-out match will give one point to both Afghanistan and Australia. The two teams will be in a situation where Australia will automatically go through to the semi-finals since they will have 4 points in their kitty. Afghanistan, however, would only mathematically remain in the race.
Afghans will have a Net Run Rate of -0.990. This would even be retained when the country proceeds to have 3 points in Group B. So does South Africa with a Net Run Rate of +2.140 while they are having 3 points also. If there is a washout between Afghanistan and Australia, it is practically the end of the road for the Proteas in the semi-final scenario.
The only figure that would keep Afghanistan within shouting distance would be a possible (though not very practical) heavy loss for South Africa in their final Group B game against England on Saturday.