ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Australia and South Africa Face Must-Win Contests

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The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has reached a crucial stage, with Australia and South Africa facing must-win contests to advance to the semi-finals. The washout of their match has left both teams relying on other results to book their spot in the next round. South Africa remains ahead of Australia on net run rate, but will need to win their final Group B match against England to guarantee a semi-final berth.

Australia, on the other hand, will face Afghanistan on Friday in Lahore, a team they have struggled against in recent white-ball matches. The Aussies lost to Afghanistan in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 and scraped by in dramatic circumstances in the 50-over ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in 2023. Australia's captain, Steve Smith, is aware of the threat posed by Afghanistan, saying that they are a dangerous side on their day. The team will need to be at their best to overcome the Afghan challenge and keep their semi-final hopes alive.

The equation for both Australia and South Africa will become clearer after Wednesday's clash between England and Afghanistan, the two winless Group B teams. The result of this match will have a significant impact on the semi-finals race, with both Australia and South Africa relying on other results to advance. South Africa's captain, Temba Bavuma, is focused on his team's upcoming match against England, saying that they need to play to their best to win. The team has a couple of days to prepare for the match and will be looking to put their feet up before starting their preparations.

The Champions Trophy 2025 has been an exciting tournament so far, with several thrilling matches and unexpected results. The semi-finals race is heating up, with several teams still in contention for a spot in the next round. The tournament has also seen some outstanding individual performances, with players from all teams showcasing their skills. As the tournament enters its final stages, fans can expect more exciting matches and dramatic twists and turns.

Here are the upcoming matches in Group B:

• England vs Afghanistan on Wednesday
• Australia vs Afghanistan on Friday
• South Africa vs England on Saturday

The results of these matches will determine the semi-final line-up, with Australia and South Africa facing must-win contests to advance to the next round. Fans can catch the live action on various streaming platforms and follow the latest updates on the ICC website.

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