Australia sailed into the Champions Trophy semi-finals after their last Group B match against Afghanistan was deserted at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.Chasing 274 for success versus the plucky Afghans, Australia raced to 109-1 in the 13th over when heavy rain stopped play.While the pitch was kept under cover, the outfield appeared drenched, prompting the match officials to call off play.Australia advanced to the knockout stage with 4 points that include 2 abandoned matches.&& It & 's a great outcome.
That & 's what we were after at the start of the competition,& & Australia captain Steve Smith stated.
&& To complete in the leading two and heading to the semis, satisfying so far.&&& & I think the guys did a truly good job to restrict them to 273 and I thought we were in a pretty good position when the video game got cancelled.&& Australia, who showed up without their frontline quicks including routine captain Pat Cummins, will particularly take heart from Head&& 's recover ahead of the competition&& 's business end.South Africa, who have 3 points and deal with an already-eliminated England on Saturday, look primed to join them in the semi-finals.
MATHEMATICALLY ALIVEAfghanistan, who have three points however a poor net run rate, are just mathematically alive in the race although they beat England in their impressive Champions Trophy launching.&& About the tournament, you never know,& & Afghanistan captain Hasmatullah Shahidi said.
&& We still have hopes.
We are awaiting the next game, hopefully England win huge.&& India and New Zealand have made the last 4 from Group A.Earlier, Afghanistan&& 's Sediqullah Atal struck 85 against Australia but it was Azmatullah Omarzai&& 's resourceful 67 down the order that powered them to 273 all out in precisely 50 overs.Australia started briskly in their chase, helped by Afghanistan&& 's bad catching.Rashid Khan dropped Travis Head, who was on 6, and in the next over Matthew Short (20) was spilled in the deep.Short could not take advantage of the reprieve and was up to Omarzai in the next over however dropping Head, who was batting on 59 when rain stopped play, showed expensive for Afghanistan.The left-hander raced to a 34-ball fifty and took Australia past the 100-mark in the 12th over before rain stopped play.Cricket fans across the country can watch all Champions Trophy matches live on Ariana Television.
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(With inputs from Reuters)The post Australia reach Champions Trophy semis after Lahore washout initially appeared on Ariana News.