The much-anticipated Champions Trophy 2025 match between Australia and South Africa in Rawalpindi was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to persistent drizzle.
The match, scheduled to start at 2:00 PM local time, was officially called off at 5:10 PM, three hours and ten minutes after the scheduled start, and well before the cut-off time for a 20-over game at 7:32 PM.
This was supposed to be the first meeting between the two teams in a Champions Trophy and their first clash since the 2023 ODI World Cup semi-final, where Australia emerged victorious.
The result leaves both Australia and South Africa in control of their own destinies. If both teams win their final group matches—Australia against Afghanistan and South Africa against England—they will progress to the semi-finals.
Tomorrow’s match between England and Afghanistan is effectively a knockout, with the loser certain to exit the competition. The winner of that match will need to win their final group game to secure a spot in the semi-finals. This means the matches between Australia and Afghanistan on Friday and South Africa and England on Saturday could serve as virtual quarter-finals.
Below is the updated Champions Trophy 2025 Points Table after the washout in Rawalpindi:
| Team | M | W | L | N/R | PT | NRR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | +2.140 | |
| Australia | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | +0.475 | |
| England | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -0.475 | |
| Afghanistan | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -2.140 |