Australia’s cricket captain, Steve Smith, expressed his readiness to modify the team’s line-up for a potential T20 match against South Africa, which ultimately did not occur due to adverse weather conditions in Rawalpindi. Consistent rain led to the abandonment of the group-stage fixture, preventing any play, and a decision was made hours after the scheduled toss as the weather showed no sign of improvement.
Prior to the rainout, Australia had secured a five-wicket victory over England, but had omitted players like Aaron Hardie and Jake Fraser-McGurk from the squad. Smith acknowledged that had the match proceeded under T20 rules, he would have opted for a more aggressive batting strategy and included some power hitters in the line-up.
In terms of points, both Australia and South Africa received one point from the washed-out game, adding complexity to Group B, where Afghanistan, Australia, England, and South Africa are all vying for semi-final spots. Following round-robin play, the top two teams in each group will advance to the knockout stages. Currently, India and New Zealand are confirmed semi-final entrants from Group A, while South Africa leads Group B after a substantial victory over Afghanistan.
To secure their progression, Australia must defeat Afghanistan in their final group match. A loss would leave their qualification hanging on the outcome of the England versus South Africa match. Smith highlighted the potential threat posed by Afghanistan, noting that if they win, they will confirm their spot in the top four.
As the tournament unfolds, discussions have emerged around the unusual benefits India seems to enjoy by having all of its matches scheduled in Dubai due to political concerns surrounding hosting in Pakistan. Former England captain Nasser Hussain pointed out that India benefits from minimal travel and familiarity with the playing conditions, scrutinising the logistics involved for other teams adjusting to different conditions in various cities across Pakistan.
Afghanistan’s next match is set against England, as the competition continues to intensify in the lead-up to the semi-finals.