Afghanistan's Champions Trophy semifinal qualification took a massive dent after their clash against Australia at the Gaddafi stadium on February 27 was abandoned due to rain. After sharing one points each Australia advanced to the Champions Trophy semifinal, making Afghanistan's path to knock outs herculean.
Despite the shaky start Afghanistan managed to post a competitive total of 273, thanks to Sediqullah Atal's 85 off 95. In reply, Australia got off to a stormy start riding on Travis Head 40-ball 59 until the rain gods hindered the match and finally the match was abandoned after a long delay.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan will be cheering for England Team when the already ousted Jos Buttler's side lock horns with South Africa on March 1. Afghanistan will hope for England's massive victory over South Africa to make it to the Champions Trophy semis. But all of this isn't as easy as it sounds.
Should England secure a win over South Africa, both Afghanistan and Proteas would finish the league stage with equal points. However, Afghanistan's hopes of progressing are severely hampered by their comparitively lower Net Run Rate (-0.990) compared to South Africa's (+2.145).
To overcome this deficit, Afghanistan require England to notch a colossal win over South Africa on March 1. If England bat first, they must win by a margin of at least 207 runs. Alternatively, if England bowls first, they must chase down the target within 11.1 overs. Any South African loss of a smaller margin would result in their qualification. In the event of a washout in the South Africa-England match, South Africa, led by Temba Bavuma, would automatically advance to the knockout stages.
Afghanistan captain has a request from England team
Meanwhile, right ahead of the England versus South Africa's crucial encounter, Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi has an appeal to make from England. He wants England to clock a massive victory against South Africa to gift the Afghans a chance to make it to the semifinal.
"About the tournament, you never know. We still have hopes, hopefully England win big," Hashmatullah said in the post-match presentation.
Shahidi, however, rued Afghanistan's washed-out clash against Australia and their performance in the match.
"Unfortunate that the game went without a result. Was a good game. I think we should have scored 300+ but they bowled well in the middle overs. 270 was a good score but we didn't start well with the ball. Gave them too much width and gave them many hitting options. We'll learn from this. (On Atal) He played really well today, first two games he didn't play the way we expect but his comeback was good. First ICC event for him, he played well under pressure. Omarzai is top class, that's why he got ODI Player of the year, he always performs for us. He plays a good role, he took a fifer against England and today also he played with a positive intent under pressure. I think today was a bad day for me as a batter. I will speak with the coach later on where I went wrong, it was a slow innings strike rate wise. Will learn from this," he concluded.