Afghanistan delivered a stunning performance to eliminate England from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, securing a narrow eight-run victory at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday, February 26. This defeat marks England's first group-stage exit since 2006 and raises questions about the future of their white-ball leadership under Captain Jos Buttler.Â
Afghanistan's triumph was spearheaded by opener Ibrahim Zadran, who played a record-breaking innings of 177 runs off 146 balls. His remarkable performance not only rescued Afghanistan from a precarious 37/3 but also set a new benchmark for the highest individual score in Champions Trophy history, surpassing Ben Duckett's previous record of 165.Â
Complementing Zadran's batting heroics, Azmatullah Omarzai showcased exceptional skill with the ball, claiming his maiden five-wicket haul in ODIs with figures of 5/58 in 9.5 overs. Omarzai's crucial dismissals, including key players like Jos Buttler and Joe Root, were instrumental in restricting England's chase.Â
Despite a valiant effort by Joe Root, who scored 120 off 111 balls, England's batting lineup faltered in the final overs, culminating in their dismissal for 317 in 49.5 overs. Captain Jos Buttler attributed the loss to poor death bowling and a lack of support for Root, acknowledging that injuries to key bowlers disrupted their strategy.Â
This victory not only propels Afghanistan toward their second successive semi-final appearance in an ICC event but also underscores their growing prominence on the international stage. The team's performance drew praise from former India head coach Ravi Shastri, who lauded Afghanistan's achievement and urged England to approach playing in the subcontinent with greater seriousness.
