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All possible combinations for ICC Champions Trophy semi-finals
While the semi-finalists are confirmed, the details of the fixtures will only be finalised after Sunday’s match.
The semi-finalists for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 are confirmed – although the actual fixtures are not as yet. The four sides that have made the cut are India and New Zealand from Group A, and Australia and South Africa from Group B.
Incidentally, the same four sides featured in the semis of the 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cup.
While the semi-finalists are confirmed, the details of the fixtures will only be finalised after Sunday’s match.
India will however play in the first semi-final, in Dubai on Tuesday 4th March.
And New Zealand will play in the second, in Lahore on Wednesday 5th March.
Who each team will face depends on the outcome of their final Group A match on Sunday, which is between New Zealand and India.
If India win and top the group, they will face Australia, the second best team in Group B, with New Zealand taking on South Africa, who have topped Group B.
If New Zealand win and top Group A, they will face Australia, with India taking on South Africa instead.
These matches can be watched live, and exclusively in Afghanistan on Ariana Television. Fans can tune in to watch Sunday’s last group stage match.
The Morocco national futsal team defeated Afghanistan 4–0 in the ongoing Islamic Solidarity Games held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday.
This was Afghanistan’s third match in the tournament. Earlier, the Afghan team defeated Tajikistan and held Iran to a draw, showing strong form before facing Morocco.
Despite the loss, Afghanistan remains a competitive side in the regional futsal championship, demonstrating growing potential in the sport.
The Islamic Solidarity Games features more than 3,000 athletes from 57 Islamic countries competing across 19 sporting disciplines.
Ariana Television Network (ATN) holds the exclusive broadcasting rights in Afghanistan for the Riyadh 2025 Games.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed on Friday that it will host West Indies for a three-match T20I series in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from January 19 to 22.
The series will begin on January 19, with the second and third T20Is scheduled for January 21 and 22. It is expected to provide both teams with valuable match practice and will play a key role in their preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled less than a month after the series.
ACB CEO Naseeb Khan said: “Competing against West Indies on the brink of a global event presents an excellent opportunity for our team to finalize their lineup and enhance preparations for the upcoming tournament in India and Sri Lanka. We have been closely monitoring the team’s preparation process, and facing a quality West Indies side offers an ideal platform for their buildup.”
CWI Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe added: “This series provides an ideal platform for our preparations. Facing strong opposition in subcontinental conditions will help us sharpen our combinations and approach, while also giving our players a chance to build confidence on surfaces similar to those we’ll encounter in India and Sri Lanka.”
Series Schedule:
Afghanistan’s national cricket team continued their dominant form in the Hong Kong Sixes tournament on Friday, recording back-to-back victories over Nepal and South Africa.
Against South Africa, Afghanistan posted 148 runs in six overs. Captain Gulbadin Naib starred with 50 runs off just 12 balls, while Karim Janat added 46 from 11 deliveries. South Africa could muster only 99 runs in response, giving Afghanistan a commanding 49-run win.
Earlier on Friday, Afghanistan had defeated Nepal by 17 runs, marking a perfect start to the tournament.
The Hong Kong Sixes features twelve teams, each with six players, competing in a fast-paced, six-over format.
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