Australia vs South Africa | ICC Champions Trophy, 2025 | Match 7

Okay then, this wraps up the first washout of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Sad that it has been called off even without the toss. Now, this means that the next game in Group B between Afghanistan and England will be a virtual knockout. A promising and growing Afghanistan side will be up against a strong and wounded England team, looking for redemption in this tournament. Although the kind of cricket the Afghans have played lately and the way they have ascended to the occasions, it promises to be another belter of a clash. Both sides are searching for their first win respectively, and another loss would officially put one's qualification hopes to a dash. The Gaddafi Stadium of Lahore will light up once again on Wednesday, 26th February and the first ball will be bowled at 9 am GMT. Well, it has been a similar kind of weather in Lahore and we just hope that it does not play any spoilsport there. So do make sure you join us an hour earlier for the pre-match analysis and build-up. As of now, we take your leave. Take care, cheers!

The captain of South Africa, Temba Bavuma says that it is frustrating to get called off this match as they would have loved to play this match. The two best sides were about to play and they were confident and as a fan especially, you want to see who would have been the winner at the end of the day. Adds that he doesn’t have to say much to the team as they are all experienced players and possess great skills on the field. He just helps in trying to motivate them. The win against Afghanistan was clinical as all the boys played really well there. Mentions that they had their eleven ready irrespective of the rain as they would have trusted and backed the players. Further adds that everyone is good in the team as per fitness, Klassen has also recovered well. Tells that the spirits are going well in the team. Concludes it by saying that they will see the match between Afghanistan and England and then will make a game plan against England. It will give them a better idea of how the table will look like. England is a better side on the paper and they have a couple of days to prepare.

The captain of Australia, Steve Smith is up for a quick chat. Smith says that he saw on the weather app that rain was going to be there but didn't think it was going to be washed out. Adds that on such a day, it is always Marnus who keeps everyone buzzing. Mentions that you need to think on your feet at such times and the equation is pretty simple now, a win against Afghanistan and they make the semis. Adds that the beauty of the tournament that it features 8 best teams in the world and anyone can beat the other on a given day. Adds that can't do much about the rain and ends up saying that in the last game, they managed to keep their cool and pull things back first with the ball and then got the job done with the bat.

UPDATE - 12.14 pm GMT - We were just talking about the scenarios and challenges of a rain-shortened game, but unfortunately, scratch all those because the match has been ABANDONED DUE TO RAIN. The plug has been pulled out and the teams will head back to their respective hotels from the dressing rooms. What a shame that we couldn't get any action from Rawalpindi on what potentially could've been a mouth-watering clash. Instead, the rain gods have splashed waters on the hopes here. As a result, Australia and South Africa, both will share one point each, which takes both sides to 3 points apiece.

UPDATE - 12 pm GMT - So nearly two hours remaining in the cut-off time for the curtailed contest to start. But, the pouring hasn't stopped at all. And even for a 20-over game to begin, rain needs to be stopped. Also, it might take around an hour or so to prepare the ground for play after it stops drizzling. As per the last live visuals, there were already a few pools of water formed on the covers, along with puddles in the outfield as well. So, it takes quite a time to clear and dry those up. With each passing minute, the probability of any action to happen is getting thinner and thinner. All we can do is hope for now. Stay tuned for further updates.

UPDATE - 11.30 am GMT - Live visuals show no positive signs. The covers are well placed firmly on the pitch and the squares, with no activity whatsoever going around. Also, according to Sanjay Manjrekar on-air, this is the lightest drizzle to be this consistent to stall the play for this long. The only positive thing is that the spirit of the spectators hasn't waned away. A fair bit of the crowd is still present in the stands hoping to witness some action between these two top-class sides.

UPDATE - 11.14 am GMT - No, we are not back with any positive update, unfortunately. It still continues to drizzle in Rawalpindi, in fact, it has gotten a bit heavier as well. But what we are hearing is, that the cut-off time for a 20-OVER GAME is 2.32 pm GMT. Which means, around two and a half to three hours from now. Also, just a humble reminder. We are already losing overs as we speak. But we still hope that the drizzle stops and the conditions get better godspeed. Stay tuned for further updates and keep your fingers crossed.

So, let's assume that this game gets rained off, which quite looks possible if we go by the weather forecast for the rest of the day. Both teams, Australia and South Africa, will have to share one point each. Which also means, this 'Group of Death' as many are calling it, will crack open. South Africa and Australia, both will have three points each, and due to a better net run rate, the Proteas will remain crowned at the top of the pool. That scenario brings England and Afghanistan close in the qualification hunt as well. However, still on terms and conditions. They will anyway have to win their remaining games. England is left to play against South Africa, which, by any means, won't be an easy one. While Afghanistan will be up against Australia. Boy, that will be another cracker. Remember that nerve-jangling clash from the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup? But first, the Afghans will have to challenge England. The loser of that contest will virtually get out of the contention then. So, Group B will get a bit more complicated. In simpler terms, the Aussies and the Proteas need to win both their last respective remaining game to put all these scenarios to bed.

UPDATE - 10.32 am GMT - It is still drizzling out there in Rawalpindi. The covers are firmly placed on the pitch and the squares. Live visuals show that it has gotten a bit more darker and the floodlights are glittering at full tilt. We can also see a lot of people in the stands who have not moved an inch and are staunchly waiting for the game to start. Also, a huge chunk of ground, barring the squares and the pitch is still uncovered. So, it will be important to see how quickly the ground staff executes the mop-up work to get the ground ready for the game IF and when the drizzle eases out.

UPDATE - 10.06 am GMT -  It is now a few minutes past 10 am GMT and we have started to officially lose overs!