Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan Cricket Slammed For Poor Drainage System at iconic Gadaffi Stadium

Australia qualified for the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after winning a rain-truncated clash against Afghanistan in Lahore on Friday.

Afghanistan batted first and managed to accrue 273 runs from 50 overs. Sediqullah Atal at number three shaped 85 regal runs from 95 balls, while Azmatullah Omarzai tonked a swift 67 during the backend of the innings. For Australia, Ben Dwarshuis picked up three wickets while Spencer Johnson and Adam Zampa chipped in with two wickets each.

Shortly after Australia raced past the 100-run mark in just 12 overs, rains halted play in Lahore.

It was a poor drainage system at Pakistan’s Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore that saw the Afghanistan vs Australia 2025 Champions Trophy match being washed out on Friday.

Rain arrived during Australia’s chase at the venue and continued for around 30 minutes. Even that proved to be a lot for the ground’s poor drainage system as the match was forced to be called off despite a wait of more than one hour. The ground staff tried a lot but failed to keep the umpires hopeful about the safe resumption of the game.

They even used mops and sponges, but the surface was still left with a lot of water after an hour of action by the staff on the ground.

No surprise, the fans on social media lashed out at hosts Pakistan for its poor drainage system at the venue. Notably, this was the third match out of 10 that got washed out due to rain at the ongoing tournament.

Afghanistan just have an outside chance. They will need England to beat South Africa by a huge margin to make it to the semi-finals.