England’s determined push for a win in a high-scoring thriller in Lahore on Wednesday led to defeat with Afghanistan gorgeous Jos Buttler’s males with an eight-run victory to maintain themselves afloat in Group B of the Champions Trophy.
Regardless of a formidable begin with the ball the place Afghanistan shrunk to 37 for 3, opener Ibrahim Zadran set forth a powerful comeback for his aspect. Zadran clobbered a career-best 177 off 146 deliveries, his innings studded with 12 fours and 6 maximums as Afghanistan placed on a mammoth 325 for seven on the board.
England’s chase progressively stiffened with Afghanistan pegging the previous world champions again with common wickets. At the same time as No. 4 Joe Root placed on a medical century to maintain the chase alive, the Afghan bowlers held their nerves to inflict England’s fifth successive defeat since their latest tour to India, additionally knocking them out of the Champions Trophy.
Afghanistan. You guys rock. Kammaaal Kaardi. For England. Take enjoying within the Subcontinent critically with no excuses. Solely then you’ll be recognised as a Workforce that may TRAVEL #AFGvENG #ChampionsTrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/6dUYlzAVc5
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) February 26, 2025
Following Afghanistan’s emphatic win, former India head coach Ravi Shastri took to social media to applaud the aspect whereas signalling a stern message for the Englishmen. “Afghanistan. You guys rock. Kammaaal Kaardi. For England. Take enjoying within the Subcontinent critically with no excuses. Solely then you’ll be recognised as a Workforce that may TRAVEL #AFGvENG #ChampionsTrophy2025,” Shastri wrote.
England’s white-ball sides have been on a downhill since their T20 World Cup triumph in 2022. Within the earlier ODI World Cup in 2023 and final 12 months’s T20 World Cup, England didn’t go previous the league stage.
“Sensible from Afghanistan .. Throughly deserved win .. England simply haven’t performed ok white ball cricket for a few years .. this outcome isn’t a shock in these situations,” former England captain Michael Vaughan later wrote on X.
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