India’s first-choice wicketkeeper batter KL Rahul admitted he feels the pressure of Rishabh Pant breathing down his neck, while waiting for his opportunity. With a player like Pant on the bench, Rahul admitted there is always a “temptation” to play either him or the explosive southpaw. India head coach Gautam Gambhir and his regime’s decision to prefer Rahul over Pant has left the fanbase and former cricketers with split opinions. Some have welcomed the management’s decision to keep Rahul in the ODI fold, while others have argued in favour of Pant, citing his impact in the limited-overs format.

Rahul broke the silence about playing ahead of Pant and admitted the factor of performance pressure. The experienced batter isn’t trying to compete with Pant but wants to do the best and stick to his game.

“There is – I won’t lie. I mean, he’s obviously a very, very talented player and he’s shown all of us what he can do, and how aggressive and how quickly he can change the game. So yes, there’s always the temptation for the team as well, whoever’s the captain, the coach to – there’s always that temptation to either play him or play me,” he said in a press conference on Friday.

“There’s always that. But yeah, for me, I just if I’m given the opportunity, I try and see what I can do best. I am not trying to compete with Rishabh, or I am not trying to play like him, or when he gets his opportunities, I am sure he is not going to try to play like anybody else. He is picked on the basis of how he can play and what he can provide for the team, and the same applies to me. So, I try and do what I do best and try and stick to my game,” he added.

In the ongoing Champions Trophy, Rahul has embraced his role as a wicketkeeper batter. In the Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh, he continued his red-hot form with a composed 41* from 47 deliveries, laced with a sole four and two towering maximums.

Australia booked their spot in the Champions Trophy 2025 semifinals after their Group B match against Afghanistan was called off due to wet outfield in Lahore on Friday. However, the result meant that Afghanistan still has a small chance of reaching the semi-finals with everything coming down to the match between England and South Africa on Saturday. If South Africa win that match, they will have 5 points from 3 matches and will reach the semifinals as the top side from Group B.

However, if South Africa lose their match against England, they will have 3 points – the same as Afghanistan. In that scenario, the second spot will be decided by Net Run Rate (NRR). However, South Africa will have the advantage as they have a far superior NRR at the moment.

The final Group A match between India and New Zealand will decide which team emerges as the group-topper. Both teams have 4 points from 2 matches but New Zealand have the superior NRR.

A look at India’s possible opponents in the Champions Trophy 2025 semifinals –

If India win their game against New Zealand –

India will top Group A and that means the Rohit Sharma-led side will face the second-placed Group B team. If South Africa lose their match against England but qualify on the basis of superior NRR, they will take on India in the semifinals. On the other hand, if South Africa are handed a mammoth loss and Afghanistan emerge as the second-placed side, they will become India’s opponents.

If South Africa win their game against England, India will take on Australia in the semifinals.

If India lose their game against New Zealand

India will become the second-placed Group A side in that scenario. If South Africa lose their game against England, India will face top-placed Group B side Australia in the semifinals. If South Africa win their match against England, they will finish as the Group B toppers and will face India in semifinals.

Three teams still remain in the hunt as the Group B in the ICC Champions Trophy nears an enthralling conclusion. South Africa and Australia top the charts with three points each to their name – courtesy of one win and one washed out contest each. On Friday, as second-placed Australia take on third-placed Afghanistan, nothing less than a win would guarantee their Champions Trophy semi-finals progression. But, the battle isn’t only expected to be resolved using bat and ball, with the weather conditions in Lahore also expected to play a significant role.

The Aussies launched their tournament campaign with a theatrical win over England before their huge showdown with South Africa was abandoned due to the rain. The form has been mixed for the Afghans but they will enter their match with Australia filled with confidence after getting the better of England on Wednesday. This win came after a heavy 107-run loss to South Africa in their opening tournament fixture.

Lahore Weather Report Today:

According to Accuweather, there remains about a 71% chance of rain in the city on today (Friday). In all likelihood, the Australia vs Afghanistan contest will see a stop-start match in which the chances of a full 50-over-per-side game remain slim.

Which Team Goes Through If Afghanistan vs Australia Champions Trophy Match Gets Abandoned?

A washed out contest would see both Afghanistan and Australia fetch one point each. Such a situation would see Australia automatically qualify for the semi-finals as they would have 4 points to their name. Afghanistan, however, would only mathematically remain in the race.

The Afghans have a Net Run Rate of -0.990. It would remain the same even as the team goes on to 3 points in the Group B. South Africa, with a Net Run Rate of +2.140, also have three points to their name. In case of a washout in the Afghanistan vs Australia match, the Proteas would practically be guaranteed a semi-final progression.

The only statistic that would keep Afghanistan in the hunt is a possible (though not practical) heavy defeat for South Africa in their final Group B game against England on Saturday.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women vs Gujarat Giants Women, WPL 2025: Smarting from their dramatic Super Over loss in the Women’s Premier League, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will aim to get back on track as they take on bottom-placed Gujarat Giants on Thursday. The defending champions started strong with two commanding wins, but consecutive defeats against Mumbai Indians and UP Warriorz have halted their momentum. With Delhi Capitals surging to the top of the table after their victory on Tuesday, RCB will be desperate to return to winning ways. Meanwhile, Gujarat Giants continue to languish at the bottom of the points table, having managed just one win in four outings. Their latest defeat to Delhi Capitals was particularly dismal, as they barely scraped past the 100-run mark. (Live Scorecard)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (Playing XI): Smriti Mandhana(c), Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh(w), Raghvi Bist, Kanika Ahuja, Georgia Wareham, Sneh Rana, Kim Garth, Prema Rawat, Renuka Singh Thakur

Gujarat Giants Women (Playing XI): Beth Mooney(w), Harleen Deol, Phoebe Litchfield, Dayalan Hemalatha, Ashleigh Gardner(c), Kashvee Gautam, Deandra Dottin, Meghna Singh, Tanuja Kanwar, Priya Mishra, Bharti Fulmali

Pakistan and Bangladesh’s last day in the Champions Trophy 2025 was symbolic of how their campaigns have been so far – zero impact. Their last match, between themselves, was washed out in Rawalpindi on Thursday without even the toss being held. With that result, Pakistan are likely to finish last in the Champions Trophy 2025. Their run-rate is -1.087 – the worst among all competing eight teams in the Champions Trophy 2025.  Pakistan and Bangladesh were already out of the Champions Trophy 2025 quarter-final race before this match after they lost both their opening games.

Before the match, Wasim Akram was asked if it was a contest for pride.

“What pride? I told you not to ask me this question. You play for pride when you have qualification going through your mind.  Both Pakistan and Bangladesh will go home after this match. Just play and go home,” Akram replied on a chat show.

With just one point in three matches and a run-rate of -1.087 Pakistan became the defending champions with worst-ever show. The Mohammad Rizwan and co. surpassed Australia to register the unwanted record. As defending champions, Australia had finished 2013 edition with one point and net run rate of -0.680.Pakistan too finished the 2025 edition with one point, but their net run rate was -1.087.

The Champions Trophy match between hosts Pakistan and Bangladesh on Thursday was called off without a ball being bowled due to incessant rain. Hosting an ICC tournament for the first time in 29 years, Pakistan thus ended their disastrous campaign without registering a single victory. Bangladesh, too, concluded their journey without a win and will go back home with plenty to introspect.

One point will be shared by both teams.

Pakistan has attracted criticism for their forgettable outing in the tournament, which included a six-wicket defeat at the hands of traditional rivals India in Dubai.

This is the second time a match has been called off without a ball being bowled in Rawalpindi, the first being the washout between South Africa and Australia earlier this week. 

With IANS inputs 

The Champions Trophy 2025 once again experienced an instance of pitch invasion as a fan ran into the ground after Afghanistan’s win over England on Wednesday. Following Afghanistan’s thrilling victory in Lahore, a fan invaded the pitch and ran in to hug the players. However, he was caught by the security officials and escorted out of the field. This was not the first time that such incident happened during the competition as a fan ran into the field and tried to grab New Zealand batter Rachin Ravindra during the match against Bangladesh on Monday. Following the incident, media outlets reported that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took serious note of the security breach.

“The PCB has taken serious note of the security breach that occurred yesterday when a spectator entered the field of play. Ensuring the safety of players and officials remains our top priority,” the board said on Tuesday as quoted by Dawn.

“The individual involved was arrested and presented before a court of law today. In addition, he has been permanently banned from entering all cricket venues in Pakistan. “The individual involved was arrested and presented before a court of law today. In addition, he has been permanently banned from entering all cricket venues in Pakistan,” the statement added.

However, a similar incident raised questions about the steps taken by PCB.

Opener Ibrahim Zadran‘s 177 and five wickets by Azmatullah Omarzai helped Afghanistan knock England out of the Champions Trophy with a thrilling eight-run victory on Wednesday.

Afghanistan posted 325-7 in a virtual knockout tie in Lahore and then bowled out England for 317 in 49.5 overs to stay alive in the race for a semi-final place while England have no chance of reaching the last four.

Joe Root‘s 120 went in vain as England lost regular wickets to lose their second straight ODI to the Afghans after their shock defeat in the 2023 World Cup in India.

Needing 13 off the last six balls with one wicket in hand, pace bowler Omarzai kept calm to give away just four runs and dismiss Adil Rashid.

(With AFP inputs)

Afghanistan vs England LIVE Updates, Champions Trophy: England are one down in their chase of 326 against Afghanistan in a Champions Trophy match in Lahore. Phil Salt was bowled out by Azmatullah Omarzai. Earlier, Ibrahim Zadran slammed a historic 177 to help Afghanistan post 325 for 7. Afghanistan were in tatters losing three wickets in the powerplay but that didn’t stop Zadran from playing a blinder at the Gaddafi Stadium. Hashmatullah Shahidi (40), Azmatullah Omarzai (41) and Mohammad Nabi (40) also played handy cameos to help Zadran pust Afghanistan’s total over 300. Both teams are in a do-or-die situation, as the loser will be eliminated from the tournament. (Live Scorecard)