Steve Smith's vicious strategy vs South Africa exposed; insanity in Champions Trophy revealed

Australia National Cricket Team captain Steve Smith had a bold strategy in his mind, as he was preparing to shake up his playing XI to suit a high-intensity T20-style and power-packed encounter against the South Africa National Cricket Team in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

With heavy rain threatening to cut the game down to 20 overs per side at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Steve Smith was ready to inject firepower into the Australian XI. He hinted that the explosive hitters like Jake Fraser-McGurk and Aaron Hardie were in line for a surprise entry.

Steve Smith’s bold T20 plan crushed as rain wreaks havoc in Rawalpindi

Steve Smith said after the announcement, “When we were watching the rain fall, we were probably looking at a different team for a rain-reduced game. You've got to think on your feet with those things. We've got a good squad of 15 players, and you've got to utilize them as well as you can.”

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However, the weather had a different plan, forcing the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Group B match to be abandoned due to relentless rain in Rawalpindi on Tuesday, February 25. The match was officially called off nearly four hours after the scheduled toss, as the poor weather made it impossible to fit in the required 20 overs per side to constitute a match.

With no play possible, both teams shared the points, shaking up Group B and giving England an unexpected lifeline in the race for the Champions Trophy semi-finals. This result leaves all four teams in Group B—South Africa, Australia, England, and Afghanistan—with a shot at making it to the knockout stage, as India and New Zealand have already secured their semi-final spots from Group A.

Our equation is pretty simple now: Steve Smith aims for victory against Afghanistan

South Africa currently leads the Group B points table after a commanding 107-run win over Afghanistan, while Australia is sitting in second place following their five-wicket victory over England.

The Australian cricket team will take on Afghanistan in their final group-stage match on Friday, and a win would confirm their place in the semi-finals of the tournament.

Steve Smith further added, “They’re a dangerous side on their day, like every team in this tournament. Our equation is pretty simple now ... if we win, we’re locked into the top four.”

However, a loss could put the Australian team’s chances in danger, making England’s upcoming group matches even more crucial. If England manages to beat Afghanistan and South Africa, they will book a spot in the top 4 without worrying about net run rate. The washed-out game between Australia and South Africa has certainly kept England’s hopes alive in the tournament.

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When Marnus Labuschagne annoys his Australian teammates in Rawalpindi

When asked who was the most annoying teammate during the wait for hours in the dressing room, Smith named Marnus Labuschagne without hesitation.

Smith signed off by saying, “Marnus (Labuschagne), well and truly. He was wandering around the room, trying to bug every single person. Some of us were just trying to sit down and do a crossword, but he would just bug us the entire time.”