A strange but unfortunate incident occurred at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore during Match 10 of the Champions Trophy between Australia and Afghanistan, when a ground staff member slipped on the wet outfield while trying to dry the pitch. The incident, which was recorded on camera, soon went viral on social media, with fans showing amusement at the incident while others condemned the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for poor drainage facilities at a high-profile ICC event.
Despite incessant efforts from the ground personnel, too much water on the field meant that play could not be restarted within the specified cut-off time of 10:11 PM local time. Match officials, therefore, abandoned the game, and both teams were awarded a point each.
How Pakistan clears water from ground. 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/X3SqFAXIJi
— AKTK (@AKTKbasics) February 28, 2025
That solitary point confirmed Australia’s place in the semi-finals, as the first and first-ever side from Group B to qualify for the knockout round. The fight for the remaining second qualification slot is now reduced to Saturday night’s high-intensity encounter between England and South Africa. A Proteas victory would see them through directly to join Australia and the top spot.
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For Afghanistan, the qualification scenario is grim but not quite out of the question. They would need South Africa to be routed by at least 180 runs or for England to chase down their target in less than 15 overs—both extremely unlikely possibilities, but cricket has had stranger things occur.
Before the rain came spoilsport, Afghanistan had posted a big total of 273, courtesy of a brilliant knock of 85 by Sediqullah Atal and a vital 67 off 63 balls by Azmatullah Omarzai. Their good batting laid the platform for an interesting chase.
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Australia, in retaliation, began fiercely, with Travis Head dashing to a 34-ball fifty. Even after losing Matthew Short early in the powerplay, they had made 109/1 in only 12.5 overs before rain stopped play. With no improvement in the weather and an extended delay of almost 90 minutes, the officials had no option but to abandon the match.
