INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
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
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
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
For updates, fixtures and schedules make certain to follow Ariana Television and Ariana News& & digital platforms
(With inputs from Reuters)The post Australia reach Champions Trophy semis after Lahore washout initially appeared on Ariana News.
