New Delhi: The highly anticipated Group B encounter between Australia and South Africa in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to persistent rain in Rawalpindi. Heavy showers throughout the day left no room for play making it the fourth no-result game for Australia in their last eight Champions Trophy appearances. Persistent Rain Washes Out the Game The match was marred by continuous rain from the morning preventing the ground staff from preparing the pitch. Despite multiple inspections and some brief pauses in drizzle the covers remained firmly in place. With the cut-off time for a 20-over game set at 7:32 PM local time the conditions never improved enough to allow play to commence. Impact on Group B Standings With both teams sharing a point each South Africa remains at the top of Group B with three points due to their superior net run rate of +2.140 while Australia also moves to three points but with a net run rate of +0.475. This washout has complicated the group standings leaving semi-final spots still up for grabs. Crucial England vs Afghanistan Clash Becomes a Virtual Knockout The abandonment of this match has turned the upcoming England vs Afghanistan clash into a virtual knockout. With both teams yet to secure a point in the tournament the loser of that contest will be the third team to be eliminated from the competition. Group A Semi-Finalists Confirmed Meanwhile Group A’s semi-finalists have already been decided with India and New Zealand securing qualification. Both teams have four points each and their upcoming match will determine which side tops the group. Uncertain Weather in Lahore Adding to the drama Lahore the venue for the next Champions Trophy fixtures has also been experiencing rain raising concerns about further disruptions in the tournament. Fans Left Disappointed Spectators who gathered at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium remained patient despite the inclement weather. However as the rain refused to relent hopes of witnessing an intense battle between two strong sides faded. The washout came as a disappointment for fans eager to see a crucial contest in the group stage. Looking Ahead With the tournament moving forward all eyes will be on the remaining Group B matches to determine which teams will advance to the semi-finals. Australia and South Africa now await their final group-stage games hoping for clear skies and a chance to secure their place in the knockout stage.