England crashed out of the Champions Trophy after a nail-biting 8-run defeat to Afghanistan in Lahore.
The loss, their second in the tournament following Saturday’s defeat to Australia, means England’s campaign is over after just two matches.
Afghanistan’s inspired performance follows their 69-run victory over England in last year’s ODI World Cup.
The result marks another significant upset for Jos Buttler’s struggling side.
England have been knocked out of the Champions Trophy after a shock defeat to Afghanistan
Sky Sports/Reuters
Ibrahim Zadran produced a record-breaking performance, smashing 177 runs off 146 balls with 12 fours and six sixes.
His magnificent innings is now the highest individual score in Champions Trophy history, surpassing Ben Duckett’s previous record.
Zadran’s sixth ODI hundred came despite England reducing Afghanistan to 37 for three in the early stages.
He formed crucial partnerships with captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (40) and later with Mohammad Nabi (40) to power Afghanistan to 325 for seven.
Joe Root’s masterful century almost dragged England over the line in a valiant effort.
The 34-year-old scored 120 off 111 balls, including 11 fours and a six, for his 17th ODI hundred.
Root battled through fitness issues, visibly hobbling between singles and doubles.
His determined innings kept England’s hopes alive until the 46th over when Azmatullah Omarzai dismissed him.
By then, Root had given England genuine belief they could pull off an unlikely chase.
England’s ODI form continues to deteriorate, with 18 losses in 25 matches since the start of the 2023 Cricket World Cup.
Serious questions will now be asked of Buttler’s position as captain following this latest setback.
Joe Root put on a valiant display but it was not enough
Reuters
Brendon McCullum’s tenure as white-ball coach also faces mounting scrutiny.
The defeat to Afghanistan represents another significant blow for a team that once dominated the 50-over format.
England’s dramatic fall from grace shows no signs of abating.
A positive late partnership from Jofra Archer and Jamie Overton briefly revived England’s hopes in the closing stages.
With the target in sight, the pair looked to have salvaged England’s dignity.
But Overton’s dismissal, smacking a tempting delivery into Mohammad Nabi’s hands at long on with 17 runs still required, ended the resistance.
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Afghanistan put on a majestic display, including a record-breaking 177 from Ibrahim Zadran
Reuters
Omarzai then claimed his fifth wicket by removing Adil Rashid as Afghanistan bowled England out for 317.
England will play South Africa in Karachi on Saturday in their final group match.
With qualification for the semi-finals now impossible, the dead rubber offers little more than pride for Buttler’s men.
Afghanistan, meanwhile, remain in the hunt for a semi-final berth following their historic victory.
After reaching the semi-finals in last year’s T20 World Cup, Afghanistan will be looking to repeat the feat in another ICC event.