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Video: Check how drop-in pitch gets installed at MCG Ground in Australia

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) uses a drop-in pitch where the boxing day test match will be played between Australia and India from 26th December.

Dec 22, 2024, 4:43 AM2 min read

Video of drop-in pitch getting installed at MCG

The iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) uses a drop-in pitch for their cricket season where India would face Australia in a boxing day test match in the fourth test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The series is currently drawn at 1-1 after India won in Perth, lost in Adelaide and then Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep's epic 11th wicket partnership helped them draw in Brisbane. With India needing to win the next test matches to stay alive in the contention for a place in the World Test Championship final, this test will be a mouthwatering contest.

In this last three tests at this venue, India have not lost a test match. The men in blue drawn the test match in 2014 and then won by 137 runs in 2018 and continued their winning run in 2020 by winning the match by 8 wickets. 

Read Also | Most Test wickets by Asians in SENA countries

Why do MCG uses drop-in pitches?

Australia uses the big Melbourne Cricket Ground for other sports like Rugby or AFL throughout the year and also hosts concerts as well. Since during these events and sports, the cricket pitches needed to be removed from the ground, they have to use drop-in pitches at this ground. 

Which company helps in installation of drop-in pitches? 

Adelaide Turf International company helps in installation of drop-in pitches at the ground. They use their own technology "StrathAyr specialised technology" to first take the whole square (a square of multiple pitches) from outside the ground and then drop then inside the stadium. Adelaide Turf International were the company who helped ICC use the drop-in pitches in New York during the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Which are the other places where drop-in pitches get used? 

  • MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground), Melbourne, Australia
  • Optus Stadium, Perth, Australia
  • Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, Australia
  • Spotless Stadium, Sydney, Australia
  • North Sydney Oval, Sydney, Australia
  • ANZ Stadium, Sydney, Australia
  • Westpac Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand
  • Otago Rugby Football Club, Dunedin, New Zealand
  • Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand
  • Lords Ground, Marylebone Cricket Club, UK

Who do they install the pitch?

 

 

Next Article

Afghanistan vs Australia Champions Trophy 2025 LIVE Updates, Scores, News and free commentary: Australia qualify for semis after match gets abandoned

Stay updated with the Afghanistan vs Australia Champions Trophy 2025 match as this match is set to decide who will qualify for the semis of the tournament from Group B.

Feb 28, 2025, 4:14 PM1 min read

Afghanistan vs Australia Champions Trophy 2025 LIVE Updates, Scores, News and free commentary: Australia powers to 109/1 before rain halts the game | sportzpoint.com

Hello and welcome to another LIVE coverage of Champions Trophy 2025 on Sportz Point. 

Today, we will cover probably the most important match of the group stage this season. This is Koushik Biswas and Payal Debnath with the Afghanistan vs Australia Champions Trophy 2025 match from the web desk. 

Last time when these two teams met, we saw one of the greatest ODI knocks from Glenn Maxwell in the ICC World Cup 2023. This is a must-win match for Afghanistan. If they lose, they will fail to qualify for the semis. 

Read Also | Champions Trophy 2025: How can Afghanistan qualify for the semi-final? Group B Scenarios

So, sit back and relax as we bring you the stats, LIVE updates, images and free commentary of the match for you. Enjoy the coverage. 

LIVE Updates

Feb 28, 2025, 4:14 PM

Australia qualify for the semis

Match abandoned! A shame for the fans in Lahore, but the rain claims another fixture in this Champions Trophy. A point each means Australia are through to the semi-finals! They move to four points while Afghanistan, now on three, need to wait until tomorrow to see if they have snuck through.

Feb 28, 2025, 2:21 PM

Meantime news from the England camp

Feb 28, 2025, 2:03 PM

The rain halts the game

The rain halts the game. Australia are 109/1 after 12.5 overs. 

They are winning as per the DLS at the moment. 

Feb 28, 2025, 2:01 PM

Current equation

Feb 28, 2025, 2:00 PM

Australia cross 100 in 12 overs!

The Aussies are going for a big win here and they are not letting the foot off the gas. 

They cross 100 in 12 overs. 

Head 55* and Smith 16*.

Feb 28, 2025, 1:55 PM

Head scores his 17th ODI fifty!

In just 34 balls, the opener completes his 17th ODI fifty and surely, he would love to take the game away from the Afghans. 

Australia 96/1. 

Feb 28, 2025, 1:46 PM

Head has the luck!

Head throws his hands at the ball and the edge goes flying past the keeper. 

He moves to 45 from 28 balls after hat-trick of fours against Azmat.

Feb 28, 2025, 1:38 PM

Head hits three fours against Farooqi

Farooqi has been poor here. He has bowled a half-volley, a short ball and given room Head all in one over. 

Head has hit him for boundaries in every occasion. 

Feb 28, 2025, 1:35 PM

Azmat at the top

Feb 28, 2025, 1:32 PM

Australia reach 50 in five over

Steve Smith comes to the crease and hits two back-to-back boundaries as they reach 50 in five overs. 

Feb 28, 2025, 1:30 PM

Short goes for 20!

After another dropped catch, finally Afghanistan holds on to a catch. 

Gulbadin Naib takes a good catch running back at mid-on and Azmatullah Omarzai gets the big wicket of Short!

Australia 44/1

Feb 28, 2025, 1:24 PM

Rashid Khan drops Head!

Massive point of the match. Rashid Khan at mid-on drops Travis Head on 6. 

Head tried to go over the circle against Fazalhaq Farooqi and could not get the connection. 

Feb 28, 2025, 1:22 PM

Terrific start for Australia | 30/0

Solid, fast start for Australia with the bat. Travis Head and Matthew Short have given Australia the start they were looking for. 

Australia 30/0 after 3.

Feb 28, 2025, 12:35 PM

AFG 273 all out after 50 overs

Noor got a top edge on that and given out.

Feb 28, 2025, 12:34 PM

Australia takes review

swings and misses outside off, but steals a bye. Noor to face the final ball. He misses the pull, caught behind appeal, and another bye taken.

Australia takes the review to check whether there was any bat on it. 

Feb 28, 2025, 12:32 PM

Azmatullah departs

Caught at deep cover and Azmatullah brilliant knock finally comes to an end. 

Fazalhaq Farooqi the last man in. 

Feb 28, 2025, 12:30 PM

One-bounce four

Thundered down the ground by Azmatullah for a one-bounce four. Smashed to deep midwicket and Azmatullah prefers not to run again. 

Feb 28, 2025, 12:29 PM

Dwarshuis to bowl the final over

Dot ball to start with as Azmatullah doesn’t want to take the single. 

Feb 28, 2025, 12:28 PM

AFG 268/8 after 49 overs

A couple of dot balls to follow - a slower one and then a yorker from Ellis.

SIX! Slow and shortish outside off, and Azmatullah throws his hands at it and clears wide long-off for another maximum.

A single to end the over and Azmatullah will keep strike. 

Feb 28, 2025, 12:26 PM

Six from Azmatullah's bat

Ellis bowls out. Noor takes a single first ball. SIX! Azmatullah takes this from outside off-stump and launches the ball over deep midwicket for a colossal six. 

Feb 28, 2025, 12:21 PM

Fifty up for Azmatullah

Fifty up for Azmatullah, off just 54 balls, and this has been an excellent knock so far. 

A wide and a single to end the over, and six runs from the 48th. 

AFG 254/8 after 48 overs.

Feb 28, 2025, 12:18 PM

250 comes for AFG

Dwarshuis starts off with a wide outside off-stump. 250 up for Afghanistan with a single off the second ball of the over. 

Feb 28, 2025, 12:16 PM

AFG 248/8 after 47 overs

Single first ball for Noor. SIX! Shot! An incredible hit down the ground by Azmatullah. 

It was a length ball on middle stump and thumped for a straight six. That was 103 metres! Launched over extra cover next ball by Azmatullah, and the ball falls safely in the deep for a couple more.

A couple of slower deliveries in a row and Azmatullah can’t put them away, resulting in two crucial dot balls. A single at deep midwicket for Azmatullah to end the over. 

Feb 28, 2025, 12:13 PM

AFG 238/8 after 46 overs

Noor Ahmad is the next man in. 

Feb 28, 2025, 12:08 PM

Rashid Khan departs

Carved behind point by Rashid to the boundary first ball as Dwarshuis continues. And Rashid is gone next ball. 

Short again, Rashid looked to heave this down the ground but he gets a top edge on it and Maxwell settles under this skier at long-on. 

Feb 28, 2025, 12:06 PM

AFG 230/7 after 45 overs

Pulled away to deep midwicket by Azmatullah and brilliant stop in the deep by Maxwell to keep it down to a couple.

Short, Rashid steps out to flat-bat this on the off-side but the ball runs away to the third-man boundary off the toe end of the bat. 

Feb 28, 2025, 12:03 PM

Ellis returns

A couple of dot balls to start the over. 

Feb 28, 2025, 12:00 PM

Dwarshuis with the ball

Four runs off the first three balls. Misfield at point and a couple more for Rashid off the fourth ball of the over.

He looks to guide this angled delivery to third man with soft hands, but misses. 

Beaten outside off again off the last ball. 

AFG 223/7 after 44 overs.

Feb 28, 2025, 11:58 AM

AFG 217/7 after 43 overs

A couple of twos for Rashid, who first steps out to clear the infield on the off-side and then sweeps one to deep square-leg.

Twelve runs from the over and Afghanistan won’t mind that. 

Feb 28, 2025, 11:56 AM

Massive maximum for Azmatullah

Massive maximum for Azmatullah. He backs away outside leg-stump and slog sweeps this over midwicket for half a dozen. 

Feb 28, 2025, 11:55 AM

AFG 205/7 after 42 overs

Ellis continues. Excellent stuff from Ellis, as just four singles come from the over. 

Feb 28, 2025, 11:50 AM

200 comes for AFG

Zampa comes back. 200 up for Afghanistan in 40.3 overs as Azmatullah takes a single.

Rashid off the mark with a single through square-leg as he flicks the ball off the back foot. 

AFG 201/7 after 41 overs.

Feb 28, 2025, 11:46 AM

Gulbadin departs

Gulbadin is gone.

He was looking to clear the leg-side boundary, but ended up skying this very high in the air and Inglis does well to settle under it. 

AFG 199/7 after 40 overs.

Feb 28, 2025, 11:46 AM

Ellis continues

Short ball, pulled by Naib, and Short throws himself at midwicket to hold on to what would have been a stunning catch, but the ball just slips out of his grip.

Feb 28, 2025, 11:41 AM

AFG 197/6 after 39 overs

Azmatullah slashes hard outside off as Johnson angles the ball away, and the batter gets a thick outside edge to deep third for a single. 

Feb 28, 2025, 11:40 AM

Johnson comes again

Over the wicket to Naib. FOUR! Short, good bouncer, but Naib gets a top edge on the pull and the ball runs away to the boundary behind the keeper.

That seems to have gone off the helmet, so given four leg-byes. 

Feb 28, 2025, 11:36 AM

Loud appeal for caught behind

Ellis with the ball. Loud appeal for caught behind but the umpire doesn’t move.

Smith reviews and there is daylight between bat and ball as Azmatullah can’t connect.

Guided behind point by Azmatullah for a couple to end the over. 

AFG 190/6 after 38 overs.

Feb 28, 2025, 11:31 AM

AFG 186/6 after 37 overs

That was a short ball down leg-side, which the keeper couldn’t collect cleanly. He throws the ball at the stumps, however, and Johnson shows good presence of mind to back up and break the stumps. 

Feb 28, 2025, 11:29 AM

Mohammad Nabi run out

Johnson again. Full outside off and driven through extra-cover by Azmatullah for a couple. OUT! Nabi is caught outside his crease the striker’s end and that’s an unfortunate dismissal. 

Feb 28, 2025, 11:20 AM

Hashmatullah departs

Zampa is back. A lot of width outside off and cut away for a single by Azmatullah to deep cover. OUT! Hashmatullah is gone. 

Feb 28, 2025, 11:18 AM

AFG 175/4 after 35 overs

Short into his seventh over. SIX! Azmatullah decides to get a move on.

He goes for the slog-sweep and clears midwicket with ease.

Feb 28, 2025, 11:16 AM

Johnson continues.

Just three singles and leg-bye from the over. Hashmatullah drags his score to 19 off 46 balls by the end of the over. 

AFG 166/4 after 34 overs.

Feb 28, 2025, 11:08 AM

Azmatullah Omarzai comes to bat

Azmatullah Omarzai is the next man in. He is off the mark with a single at deep fine. 

AFG 161/4 after 32 overs.

Feb 28, 2025, 11:03 AM

Atal departs

Johnson comes back replacing Zampa. The bowling change makes the difference as he takes Atal's wicket.

Driven straight to the cover fielder by Atal, and Smith holds on to a low catch. 

Feb 28, 2025, 11:01 AM

Short replaces Ellis

Just three runs from the over.

Pressure building on Hashmat, while Atal nears a brilliant ton. 

AFG 159/3 after 31 overs.

Feb 28, 2025, 11:00 AM

Run out chance

Hashmat is sent back from halfway down the pitch by Atal after the captain chops the ball to mid-off.

There is some disagreement between the batters but the captain survives. A couple at deep cover for Hashmat to end the over. 

AFG 156/3 after 30 overs.

Feb 28, 2025, 10:57 AM

150 comes for AFG

Hammered over long-on by Atal for a maximum as Zampa continues.

That’s 150 up in 29.1 overs.

Feb 28, 2025, 10:56 AM

Loud appeal for lbw

Ellis is convinced it is gone, but not given by the umpire and Smith won’t review either.

A single to end the over as Atal keeps strike. 

AFG 145/3 after 29 overs.

Feb 28, 2025, 10:54 AM

50 runs partnership for AFG

Ellis comes around the wicket. Banged in short and swatted away by Hashmatullah to deep point for a single. 

A bit of width and driven square of the wicket by Atal for a boundary. 

That’s 50 runs for the partnership off 64 balls. 

Feb 28, 2025, 10:52 AM

Ellis continues

Two dots in a row for Hashmatullah and the pressure is building on the skipper now. 11 runs off 33 balls for him. 

Feb 28, 2025, 10:51 AM

AFG 138/3 after 28 overs

A single for Hashmatulla at cover, where Short misfields but doesn’t allow a second. 

Feb 28, 2025, 10:50 AM

Atal hit six

Zampa is greeted back into the attack with a maximum by Atal.

He steps out, doesn’t really middle it but the ball still just sails over the boundary at long-off. 

Feb 28, 2025, 10:48 AM

Nathan Ellis comes back

Keeps hitting the deck hard, and just two singles from the over. 

AFG 131/3 after 27 overs.

Feb 28, 2025, 10:45 AM

Short continues

Just three singles from the over. 

AFG 129/3 after 26 overs.

Feb 28, 2025, 10:40 AM

Atal continues to find boundaries

Atal continues to find boundaries. Pulls the ball straight to midwicket for four. 

10 runs came in that over. 

AFG 126/3 after 25 overs.

Feb 28, 2025, 10:33 AM

Atal gets to his half-century

Afghanistan vs Australia Champions Trophy 2025 LIVE Updates, Scores, News and free commentary | Sediqullah Atal gets to his fifty; Maxwell gives third blow by dismissing Rahmat Shah; AFG 129/3

Atal comes down the track and goes over long on. That’s fifty for him as well.

Shahidi too comes down the track and gets an inside edge past keeper for a lucky four. 

AFG 113/3 after 23 overs.

Feb 28, 2025, 10:30 AM

100 comes for Afghanistan

Feb 28, 2025, 10:25 AM

Matthew Short into the attack

Just a single came in that over. 

AFG 94/3 after 20 overs.

Feb 28, 2025, 10:21 AM

Hashmatullah Shahidi at the crease

Six runs off the over. 

AFG 93/3 after 19 overs.

Feb 28, 2025, 10:20 AM

Rahmat departs

Maxwell comes into the attack and takes Rahmat's wicket.

Outside edge straight to keeper. Sharp catch. 

Feb 28, 2025, 10:18 AM

AFG 87/2 after 18 overs

A full toss by Zampa and Atal hits it over mid off for four. 

Feb 28, 2025, 10:17 AM

Atal trying to hit boundary

Atal has been working the ball around the ground but the boundaries have dried up.

An interesting phase of play this after the introduction of spinners. 

Feb 28, 2025, 10:10 AM

Spinners controlling the scoring rate

Spinners have once again controlled the scoring rate ever since they have come into the attack. Four runs in the last 12 balls. 

AFG 75/2 after 16 overs.

Feb 28, 2025, 10:06 AM

Maiden over from Maxwell

AFG 71/2 after 15 overs.

Feb 28, 2025, 10:05 AM

Rahmat Shah comes at four

Rahmat Shah is off the mark with a single. 

AFG 71/2 after 14 overs.

Feb 28, 2025, 10:02 AM

Zadran departs

Adam Zampa takes Zadran's wicket.

Wide ball outside off, Zadran chases it but cuts it straight to backward point. He falls for 22. 

Feb 28, 2025, 10:00 AM

Glenn Maxwell into the attack

Maxwell is getting the ball turn. Seven runs have come in the last 12 balls. 

AFG 70/1 after 13 overs.

Feb 28, 2025, 10:00 AM

AFG 68/1 after 12 overs

Just five runs from the over 

Feb 28, 2025, 9:53 AM

Singles are coming regularly

Afghanistan’s scoring rate has been pretty good and the singles are coming regularly as well. 

AFG 63/1 after 11 overs.

Feb 28, 2025, 9:50 AM

Johnson continues

On the pads and Atal tucks it away towards fine leg for four.

Feb 28, 2025, 9:47 AM

End of powerplay

AFG 54/1 after first powerplay of the game.

Feb 28, 2025, 9:44 AM

Nathan Ellis into the attack

Change in bowling, Nathan Ellis into the attack. Starts with a down the leg wide. Lose delivery, half-tracker outside off and Zadran punishes it towards cover for four. 

Feb 28, 2025, 9:43 AM

AFG 48/1 after 9 overs

Seven runs came in that over. 

Feb 28, 2025, 9:41 AM

Another four from Atal's bat

Atal continues to look for boundaries. Four! On the pads and Atal tickles it away fine. 

Feb 28, 2025, 9:38 AM

AFG 41/1 after 8 overs

Now Atal drives past point and gets two runs more. 

Eight runs from the over.

Feb 28, 2025, 9:35 AM

Zadran gets his first boundary

Now Zadran gets his first boundary as he drives towards cover point, opening the face of the bat. 

Feb 28, 2025, 9:33 AM

Three more runs

Another push to the cover region and Atal gets three more runs. 

Nine runs from the over. 

AFG 33/1 after 7 overs.

Feb 28, 2025, 9:32 AM

Atal finally gets boundary

Atal connects the ball well and drives the ball through the cover for four! A very good looking shot. 

Feb 28, 2025, 9:30 AM

Atal trying really hard to counter-attack

Atal has been trying really hard to counter-attack but the swing has made it difficult for him to score.

He gets an outside edge but falls just short of the first slip! 

AFG 24/1 after 6 overs.

Feb 28, 2025, 9:25 AM

AFG 23/1 after 5

It has been a bit tough for the batters but the extras have helped the Afghans get some runs on the board. 

Despite plays and misses, they are now 23/1 after 5 overs. 

Afghanistan vs Australia Champions Trophy 2025 LIVE Updates, Scores, News and free commentary | sportzpoint.com

 

Feb 28, 2025, 9:16 AM

It is swinging MILES

Unpredictable from Spencer Johnson. 

In his second over, he first nipped one back in which missed the stumps by inches and went for four byes. 

Then, he sent one down the leg side for another four byes. The next ball he was right on the money and missed the edge of Sediq narrowly. 

Afghanistan 18/1 after 3. 

Feb 28, 2025, 9:06 AM

Gurbaz goes for duck | AFG 3/1

Spencer Johnson with an inswinging yorker gets Rahmanullah Gurbaz on duck. 

It was a bit like Mitchell Starc and he was able to go under the bat of Gurbaz. 

The ball had hit Gurbaz's toe and went on to hit the stumps.

Afghanistan 3/1

Afghanistan v Australia - ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Feb 28, 2025, 8:47 AM

Australia Playing XI

Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steven Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson. 

Feb 28, 2025, 8:47 AM

Afghanistan Playing XI

Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steven Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson. 

Feb 28, 2025, 8:47 AM

Toss Update | Afghanistan wins the toss, elects to bat

Afghanistan wins the toss, elects to bat | sportzpoint.com

Both captains are in the middle - Hashmatullah Shahidi and Steve Smith. 

Afghanistan wins the toss and elects to bat.

Feb 28, 2025, 8:05 AM

Form Guide | Afghanistan

Afghanistan players rejoice in their win over England, Afghanistan vs England, Lahore, ICC Champions Trophy, February 26, 2025

Afghanistan Recent Matches Overview

  1. February 26, 2025 – 8th Match, Group B vs England: Afghanistan won by 8 runs
  2. February 21, 2025 – 3rd Match, Group B vs South Africa: South Africa won by 107 runs
  3. December 21, 2024 – 3rd ODI vs Zimbabwe: Afghanistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining)
  4. December 19, 2024 – 2nd ODI vs Zimbabwe: Afghanistan won by 232 runs
  5. December 17, 2024 – 1st ODI vs Zimbabwe: No result

Afghanistan has won 3 of its last 5 matches, including a crucial victory against England. 

Feb 28, 2025, 8:03 AM

Form Guide | Australia

England vs Australia ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Inglish and Aussie batters chased down biggest target of ICC ODI events | sportzpoint.com

Australia Recent Matches Overview

  1. February 25, 2025 – 7th Match, Group B vs South Africa: Match abandoned without a ball bowled
  2. February 22, 2025 – 4th Match, Group B vs England: Australia won by 5 wickets (with 15 balls remaining)
  3. February 14, 2025 – 2nd ODI vs Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka won by 174 runs
  4. February 12, 2025 – 1st ODI vs Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka won by 49 runs
  5. November 10, 2024 – 3rd ODI vs Pakistan: Pakistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining)

Australia has won only 1 of its last 5 matches, with losses to Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Feb 28, 2025, 8:00 AM

Afghanistan vs Australia: Head-to-head stats

Afghanistan have never beaten Australia in ODI format. In the four matches they have played against each other in the format, Australia have won all of them. 

Feb 28, 2025, 7:58 AM

How to watch the match?

Fans from India can watch the Afghanistan vs Australia match LIVE on Star Sports TV Channel and also on Jio Hotstar Channel with a paid subscription. 

Feb 28, 2025, 7:56 AM

Match Details

Match: Afghanistan vs Australia

Tournament: ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Group B

Date: 28 February 2025

Time: 2.30 pm IST

Venue: Lahore

Next Article

Champions Trophy 2025: How can Afghanistan qualify for the semi-final? Group B Scenarios

Here is the current scenario in Group B and the calculation needed for Afghanistan to qualify for the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Feb 28, 2025, 4:34 AM3 min read

Champions Trophy 2025: How can Afghanistan qualify for the semi-final? Group B Scenarios | sportzpoint.com
Afghanistan knocked out England out of the Champions Trophy

After their sensational victory over England, Afghanistan now have a shot at the semi-final berth in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. This now means we have a three-way battle for the semi-final spot between Afghanistan, Australia and South Africa. 

Group B Points table | ICC Champions Trophy

Team M W L PT NRR
SA 2 1 0 3 2.140
AUS 2 1 0 3 0.475
AFG 2 1 1 2 -0.990
ENG 2 0 2 0 -0.305

Here is how the scenarios are currently in Group B. 

Ryan Rickelton celebrates his maiden ODI ton, Afghanistan vs South Africa, Champions Trophy, Karachi, February 21, 2025 | sportzpoint.com
Ryan RIckleton's maiden ODI ton helped SA beat Afghanistan. Image | Associated Press

We can check from the points table that South Africa are leading the Group B now with 3 points and a positive net run rate of 2.140. Meantime, Australia are following them with the same amount of points but a lesser NRR of 0.475. 

On the other hand, Afghanistan are third with 2 points and a negative NRR of -0.990 with England getting knocked out of the tournament already.

Read Also | England vs Australia ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Inglis and Aussie batters chased down biggest target of ICC ODI events

Matches left in Group B

  • Australia vs Afghanistan - 28 February 2025 - Lahore
  • England vs South Africa - 1st March 2025 - Karachi

How can Afghanistan qualify for semis of Champions Trophy 2025?

As per the current situation, here are the below things that can happen. 

If Australia and South Africa win

If both Australia and South Africa win against their opponents, they will qualify with five points each. That means, for Afghanistan to stay in the competition, they will have to beat Australia by any means. 

If Australia and England win

If Australia win against Afghanistan and England win against South Africa, Aussies will reach the semis with five points while South Africa will qualify as the second best from Group B. 

If Afghanistan and South Africa win

If the Afghans beat Australia, and South Africa also beat England, then South Affrica will qualify as the group topper with five points and Afghanistan with four points will also qualify as the second best. 

If Afghanistan and England win

This is the most ideal situation for Afghanistan. If they can beat Australia and the England beat South Africa, Afghanistan will qualify as the group topper and the second position between Australia and South Africa will be decided on NRR. 

South Africa are ahead in NRR at the points and this means for them to not qualify England will have to win with a big margin. 

If Afghanistan vs Australia is washed out

That is where everything gets complicated. If Afghanistan vs Australia gets washed out due to rain, Australia with four points will qualify.

Then if South Africa gets beaten by England, both South Africa and Afghanistan will finish with three points. But, with the NRR advantage the Porteas have, they will likely to qualify from Group B. However, if South Africa win, they will qualify as the group topper with five points. 

Next Article

Photos: Australia win the ICC Women's Championship 2025

Australia were today presented with the ICC Women’s Championship trophy after they won the prestigious 10-team competition that provided a pathway to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.

Jan 28, 2025, 4:43 PM1 min read

Photos: Australia win the ICC Women's Championship 2025 | sportzpoint.com
Next Article

Most Wickets in BGT 2024-25

Bowlers performed brilliantly during the 5 test matches, in which India's Jasprit Bumrah became the highest wicket-taker in the series. In this article, we will take a look at those bowlers who took the most wickets in BGT 2024-25.

Jan 6, 2025, 11:56 AM4 min read

Most Wickets in BGT 2024-25 - Sportzpoint.com

Australia defeated India by 6 wickets on the third day of the fifth and final Test match played in Sydney. With this victory, the Kangaroo team has now won the five-match Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25 Series 3-1. Australia has won the Trophy after 10 years. 

Bowlers performed brilliantly during the 5 test matches, in which India's Jasprit Bumrah became the highest wicket-taker in the series. Captain Pat Cummins was the best bowler for Australia throughout the series and contributed at the right time for his team.

Also Read: Most runs in BGT 2024-25

In this article, we will take a look at those bowlers who took the most wickets in BGT 2024-25.

Most Wickets in BGT 2024-25

Most Wickets in BGT 2024-25 - Sportzpoint.com

1# Jasprit Bumrah | 32 Wickets

Most Wickets in BGT 2024-25 - Sportzpoint.com

India's experienced fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah took the most wickets in BGT 2024-25 series. He took the maximum of 32 wickets in nine innings of five Test matches at an average of 13.06 and an economy of less than three. Bumrah took 4 wickets twice and 5 wickets thrice in this series.

Bumrah also captained Team India in the first match of this series in Perth and led India to victory by 295 runs. He was chosen Player of the Series for taking the most wickets in the series. His best bowling performance was 6 wickets for 76 runs.

2# Pat Cummins | 25 Wickets

Most Wickets in BGT 2024-25 - Sportzpoint.com

Australian captain and fast bowler Pat Cummins took 25 wickets at an average of 21.36 and an economy of 3.19 in 10 innings of five matches in the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25 series. Cummins took 4 wickets once and 5 wickets once in the series. His best bowling performance was 5 wickets for 57 runs.

Cummins has been one of the most consistent bowlers for Australia in the recent years and he showed why his team can count on him when it comes to taking crucial wickets to bail his team out of difficult situations. 

3# Scott Boland | 21 Wickets

Most Wickets in BGT 2024-25 - Sportzpoint.com

Australian fast bowler Scott Boland came into the side after Josh Hazlewood was ruled out of the series due to injury in between the series. He took 21 wickets in six innings of just three Test matches at an average of 13.19 and an economy of less than three. He took 4 wickets once and 5 wickets once in this series.

Boland's best bowling performance was 6 wickets for 45 runs, which he took in the second innings of the final Test. He was also the man of the match in the last test.

4# Mohammed Siraj | 20 Wickets

Most Wickets in BGT 2024-25 - Sportzpoint.com

Indian pacer Mohammad Siraj ended up as India's second-highest wicket-taker of the series, with 20 scalps at an average of 31.15 and an economy of less than four. He also took 4 wickets once in this series. Siraj's best bowling figures read an impressive 4/98..

5# Mitchell Starc | 18 Wickets

Most Wickets in BGT 2024-25 - Sportzpoint.com

Australian experienced fast bowler Mitchell Starc took 18 wickets in 10 innings of 5 test matches. He took these wickets at an average of 28.66    and an economy of less than four. 

Starc took 5 wicket haul once in the series. His best bowling performance was six wickets for 48 runs which came in the pink-ball Adelaide Test. He turned out to be lethal with the new ball. 

Also Read: Most Test wickets in 2024: Bumrah, Atkinson, Bashir and more

6# Nathan Lyon | 9 Wickets

Most Wickets in BGT 2024-25 - Sportzpoint.com

Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon played a very minimal role in the series. bowled just 122.4 overs throughout the five Tests, which is more of a testament to the fast bowlers than anything else.

Lyon took 9 wickets at an average of 36.88 and an economy of 2.70 in 7 innings of five matches in the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25 series. His best bowling performance was 3 wickets for 96 runs.

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Most runs in BGT 2024-25

The likes of Travis Head and Yashasvi Jaiswal stood out for their teams while debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy also impressed throughout the 5 matches. In this article, we will take a look at those batters who scored the most runs in BGT 2024-25.

Jan 5, 2025, 3:03 PM4 min read

Most runs in BGT 2024-25 - Sportzpoint.com

The five-match Test series of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 between India and Australia has concluded, in which Australia won by 3-1. The likes of Travis Head and Yashasvi Jaiswal stood out for their teams while debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy also impressed throughout the 5 matches. In this article, we will take a look at those batters who scored the most runs in BGT 2024-25.

Also Read: India under Gautam Gambhir coaching

Most Runs in BGT 2024-25

1# Travis Head | 448 Runs

Most runs in BGT 2024-25 - Sportzpoint.com

Australia's dreaded batsman Travis Head was the highest run-scorer in the Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. He remained unbeaten once in 9 innings of 5 Test matches and scored the maximum of 448 runs at an average of 56 and strike rate of 92.56.

In this series, Head scored two centuries and one half-century. He hit 52 fours and 4 sixes in the entire series. Head's highest individual score in the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 was 152 runs.

2# Yashasvi Jaiswal | 391 Runs

Most runs in BGT 2024-25 - Sportzpoint.com

Indian young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal finished 2nd in the race for most runs in BGT 2024-25. It was his first series in Australia as well. Jaiswal scored 391 runs while remaining unbeaten once in 10 innings of five Test matches. He scored these runs at an average of 43.44 and strike rate of 53.41. 

Jaiswal scored one century and two half-centuries in the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. He hit 44 fours and 4 sixes in the entire series. Jaiswal's top score in this series was 161 runs which came in Perth Test.

3# Steve Smith | 314 Runs

Most runs in BGT 2024-25 - Sportzpoint.com

Australia's middle order batsman Steve Smith was the third top scorer in the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The series saw the comeback of Aussie star batter who returned with a bang, scoring 314 runs in 9 innings of five matches including 2 brilliant hundreds to his name. Smith scored runs in this series at an average of 34.88 and strike rate of 54.99.

Smithp's best score in this series was 140 runs. He hit 31 fours and four sixes. However, Smith missed completing his 10,000 runs in Test cricket in this series by just 1 run.

4# Nitish Kumar Reddy | 298 Runs

Most runs in BGT 2024-25 - Sportzpoint.com

Indian all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy made his Test debut in this series and he was successful in performing brilliantly. Nitish was a part of Team India in all five Tests. In his first Test series, Nitish scored 298 runs while remaining unbeaten once in nine innings of five matches at an average of 37.25 and strike rate of 64.22.

Nitish also scored a century in this series. He hit 30 fours and 8 sixes in the series. His best score was 114 runs.

Also Read: Most Test runs in 2024: Root, Jaiswal, Duckett and more

5# KL Rahul | 276 Runs

Most runs in BGT 2024-25 - Sportzpoint.com

Indian opener KL Rahul, considered a liability at the start of BGT, scored 276 runs at an average of 30.66 despite having his role in the order changed to accomodate Rohit. Rahul started the series well and scored 26 and 77 in the Perth Test. He added 201 runs with Jaiswal in the second innings of the Perth Test and guided India to a historic win.

Rahul remained unbeaten once in 10 innings of five matches. He scored two half-centuries in the series and his highest score was 84 runs which came in Brisbane Test.

6# Rishabh Pant | 255 Runs

Most runs in BGT 2024-25 - Sportzpoint.com

India's wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant’s overall performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 has been a mixed bag. While he has gotten starts, he has struggled to convert them into big scores. 

The third innings of the game saw Pant score the second-fastest half-century by an Indian in just 29 balls. This comes close to his own record of a half-century off 28 balls against Sri Lanka in 2022. This was his only fifty in BGT 2024-25 as he finished the series with 255 runs at an average of 28.33.

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