Key events
Preamble
Rob Smyth
On 10 October 2000, South Africa thrashed England by eight wickets in Nairobi, Kenya. Shaun Pollock took 3 for 27, Jacques Kallis stroked an effortless 78. That match was the last quarter-final to be played in the Champions Trophy, but only if you take these things literally.
The group format that has been used in the Champions League since 2000 has produced a number of de facto quarter-finals, including a memorable match between India and Australia in 2006. The latest takes place in Lahore today, where Afghanistan and Australia meet for the right to face either India or New Zealand in the semi-finals.
Afghanistan dumped England out of the tournament on Wednesday in a thrilling match that confirmed their status as one of the world’s best white-ball sides. They would have beaten Australia at the 50-over World Cup but for Glenn Maxwell’s mind-blowing 201 not out; they did beat Australia, decisively so, in last year’s T20 World Cup.
There’s a bit of rain forecast in Lahore, though nothing to suggest we won’t get a positive result. Australia can theoretically lose today and still go through, but it would need England to marmalise South Africa tomorrow. In reality, it all comes down to this.
Weather permitting, play will start in Lahore at 2pm local/8pm AEDT/9am GMT.
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