A stunning win in the opener, followed by two rain-hit games sealed Australia’s spot in the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Despite losing five of their touted starting XI before the tournament even began, they have demonstrated admirable mental toughness in the face of adversity.
Their tournament got off to a thrilling start against England, where they chased down 352 – the highest-ever target at an ICC event.
In the first innings, Ben Dwarshuis, Adam Zampa and Marnus Labuschagne all collected multiple scalps, but Ben Duckett’s indomitable 165 powered England to 351/8 from their 50 overs.
Australia faltered early in the chase, before Matthew Short and Alex Carey steadied things with half-centuries. But the hero was Josh Inglis, whose game-changing 120* propelled the Aussies over the line in Lahore.
Their match against South Africa was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to persistent rain in Rawalpindi, leading to shared points.
And then a subsequent rain-affected game against Afghanistan added a point to their bag, sealing their semi-final spot at another marquee ICC event.
Afghanistan posted 273 on the board from their 50 overs and Australia looked set to chase it at 109/1 in 12.5 overs, before play was abandoned in Lahore.
They will now face India in a cut-throat semi-final in Dubai on Tuesday, with the winner advancing to the tournament decider on Sunday March 9.
