Australia survived a Rashid Khan scare as they scrapped past Afghanistan by only 4 runs in a last-over thriller in Adelaide on Friday and keep their hopes of proceeding to the semi-final alive, but now need Sri Lanka to defeat England.
Australia posted 164 on the board, this total sealed New Zealand’s spot in the semi-finals as Australia needed to win by 185+ runs for their NRR to jump over New Zealand’s, but that was just a mathematical titbit that stalled their confirmation of a semi-final berth after Kane Williamson’s side had beaten Ireland 35 runs earlier in the day at the same venue.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 30 off 17 followed by Gulbadin Naib’s 23-ball 39-run knock, which was the first sign of an Afghanistan fightback with the bat. After a flurry of wickets, it was Rashid Khan who went on a rampage, hammering 48 runs off 23 balls, and even brought the equation down to 11 runs required off the last 2 balls, but eventually couldn’t do the unimaginable. Nonetheless, it was a great fight put up by Rashid and Afghanistan.
New Zealand qualified the semis with 7 points and a high NRR. Australia also have 7 points but have a poor NRR compared to England, who have 5 points and whose last match is against Sri Lanka on Saturday.
What England has to do to qualify for semi-final?
The equation is simple: If England defeat Sri Lanka, England qualify for the semi-final; otherwise in the case of Sri Lanka winning over England or the game getting washed out, Australia qualify for the semis.
Sri Lanka, with 4 points in 4 matches, are eliminated after Australia’s win as the maximum they can et to is 6 points.
Updated Points Table Group 1 After The AUS vs AFG Match:
As for Group 2, only Netherlands have been eliminated, and the remaining 5 teams have a chance to reach the semi-final. Even Zimbabwe have a mathematical possibility.
Updated Points Table Group 2 After The AUS vs AFG Match:
