 "All four teams in Group B of Champions Trophy 2025 are still alive in the race for semi-finals. Image: Reuters")
Both Australia and South Africa have two points each after winning their respective opening matches in the Champions Trophy 2025 . They will look to take their tally to four points when the teams clash in the Champions Trophy 2025 encounter on Tuesday (25 February).
The semi-finalists from Group A have already been decided with New Zealand and India qualifying for the last four stage but drama still persists in Group B. In fact, a victory for South Africa or Australia on Tuesday will still not be enough to clear the picture.
Champions Trophy 2025: News | Schedule | Results | Points Table
However, the team winning on Tuesday will only be inches away from the Champions Trophy 2025 semi-finals.
Champions Trophy 2025: Group B scenarios
Both Australia and South Africa have one more match to be played after their game on Tuesday which means while the winner will move to four points and lead Group B table, it will not be guaranteed a semi-final spot yet.
For example, if South Africa beat Australia and take their points tally to four, they will still not be guaranteed a semi-final spot. This is because Australia, who already have two points after beating England in their opener, can also reach four points if they win against Afghanistan in their last encounter and England, who play Afghanistan on Wednesday, can also reach four points if they win their match against the Afghan Atlans.
The situation remains the same if Australia win against South Africa, as the Proteas also have one match remaining against England and can still reach four points while Afghanistan can also reach four points with two wins in their last two matches.
This means the semi-finalists from Group B will most likely decided during its last round of matches and there’s a possibility of three teams having four points each or one team with six points and three teams clinching just two in which case Net Run Rate (NRR) would be used to decide the second semi-finalist from the group.
It’s also quite possible that only two teams in the end will reach four points and qualify for the semi-finals without relying on NRR.
Remaining Group B Fixtures:
Impact Shorts
More ShortsFebruary 26: Afghanistan vs England (Lahore)
February 28: Afghanistan vs Australia (Rawalpindi)
March 1: South Africa vs England (Karachi)