The Afghanistan vs Australia match in the 2025 Champions Trophy at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, was washed out due to a poor drainage system. Rain fell for about 30 minutes during Australia’s chase, overwhelming the ground’s ability to handle the water, despite extensive efforts by staff with mops and sponges. The match was abandoned after over an hour of waiting, marking the third rainout in the tournament. Fans criticized Pakistan for the inadequate facilities, noting the irony of hosting an ICC event under such conditions. Australia secured a semi-final spot, sharing points with Afghanistan after the match cancellation.
On Friday, the Champions Trophy match between Afghanistan and Australia at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore was called off due to a severely inadequate drainage system. Rain began falling during Australia’s batting chase and persisted for approximately 30 minutes. This brief downpour overwhelmed the stadium’s poor drainage capabilities, leading to the cancellation of the match after waiting over an hour. Despite the ground staff’s extensive efforts, including using mops and sponges to dry the field, the surface remained heavily waterlogged.
Unsurprisingly, social media was abuzz with fans criticizing the host nation, Pakistan, for the stadium’s inadequate infrastructure. This incident marked the third match out of ten in the tournament that was abandoned due to rain –
This is so embarrassing
You are hosting a tournament after so many times, and this is just stupidly
Where are the ones who troll India for that, and now this is how we are doing shameful #ChampionsTrophy2025#AFGvsAUS
— Hanan (@MalikSahaab_001) February 28, 2025
Such a pathetic drainage system.
Pakistan is hosting an ICC tournament and their premium ground couldn’t handle 30 mins of rainfall.
How is this acceptable?
Disgusting.#AUSvsAFG
— Classic Mojito (@classic_mojito) February 28, 2025
When you have covers but don’t have a brain yet still want to host ICC events #AFGvsAUS #ChampionsTrophy2025 #MSDhoni #IPL2025 #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/BvxaYjWAs7
— Aaliya (@Aaliyaarehman) February 28, 2025
Play at Pakistan’s Gaddafi Stadium could not commence after just 30 minutes of rain. #AFGvsAUS
Efforts to dry the field using sponges were made, but the match between Afghanistan and Australia was ultimately canceled due to the rain-soaked pitch.
Australia… pic.twitter.com/9ckthUtpOd
— CricVipez (@CricVipezAP) February 28, 2025
Australia secured their place in the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy 2025 after their final Group B match against Afghanistan ended in a washout. Rain interrupted Australia’s chase, and once it stopped, the field remained too wet for play to resume. This resulted in Steve Smith’s team sharing points with Afghanistan, raising their total to four points and allowing them to progress to the next stage.
On the flip side, Afghanistan’s chances of advancing are slim. They now rely on England to defeat South Africa by a significant margin to have any hope of reaching the semi-finals.
Before the rain interrupted play, Travis Head had produced a brisk fifty (59 not out off 40 deliveries), propelling Australia to 109 for 1 in 12.5 overs while chasing a target of 274. Earlier, Afghanistan had set a total of 273, being all out in 50 overs after opting to bat first, with Sediqullah Atal (85) and Azmatullah Omarzai (67) contributing vital fifties. Ben Dwarshuis took three wickets for 47 runs, while Spencer Johnson and Adam Zampa each claimed two wickets.
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