In a remarkable upset, Afghanistan defeated England by eight runs in a thrilling Champions Trophy match, eliminating the latter from the tournament. The game concluded in dramatic fashion on the penultimate ball, sparking jubilant celebrations from the Afghan players and staff on the field. Commentator Ian Smith described the scene as a “special moment in their cricket history,” while England players looked on in despair.
Following the loss, England captain Jos Buttler faced uncertainty about his future, indicating that he would reflect on whether he was part of the issue or the solution for English cricket’s recent struggles. Buttler remarked, “We need to consider all possibilities” to restore the team’s credibility in white-ball cricket.
Afghanistan showcased a stunning performance, with opening batsman Ibrahim Zadran achieving a record-breaking individual score of 177 runs off 146 balls, propelling Afghanistan to a total of 325 runs. In response, England was bowled out for 317. Despite Joe Root’s valiant century—120 runs off 111 balls—his efforts fell short as Afghanistan maintained their composure to clinch victory, aided by Azmat Omarzai’s impressive bowling performance, which earned him five wickets.
This win marked Afghanistan’s second victory against England in a major ICC tournament, having previously triumphed by 69 runs during the 2023 World Cup. Afghanistan’s captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, expressed pride in the team’s mix of promising youngsters and seasoned players, hoping to carry this momentum into their next match against Australia.
As Afghanistan prepares for their crucial Group B finale against Australia, which they must win to secure a spot in the semi-finals, England faces a challenging match against South Africa, hoping to salvage their disappointing tournament campaign.
The match was not without its nerve-racking moments; after a shaky start for England, Root emerged as the anchor, forming a vital partnership with Buttler. However, England’s collapse in the final overs saw Afghanistan prevail, bringing an end to Butler’s hopes for success in the tournament.
Looking back, Buttler acknowledged the need for improvement within the team’s structure, particularly regarding the last ten overs of the match, which had proven costly. With an eye on the future, both teams find themselves at a crossroads, with Afghanistan seeking to build on their success and England aiming to regain their footing in international cricket.