England’s tough journey this winter in the white-ball cricket arena took a turn for the worse as they exited the Champions Trophy following a nail-biting loss to Afghanistan. This setback has put Jos Buttler’s captaincy under scrutiny.
England, already feeling the heat after losing their opening Group B match to Australia, faced a high-stakes game in Lahore. The pressure was on as Afghanistan amassed an imposing total of 325 for seven. Joe Root supported the chase valiantly with an astonishing 120 off 111 balls. However, his dismissal with 39 runs still needed from the final 25 deliveries left England in a bind; the remaining batsmen couldn’t secure victory, and they fell short, all out for 317, conceding an eight-run defeat.
This marks their ninth loss in 10 limited-overs matches since Brendon McCullum took on a more extensive coaching role last month, casting doubt on Buttler’s leadership with another underwhelming performance in a key tournament.
### England’s Current Run
Over the past year and a half, England has relinquished both World Cups and has struggled particularly in ODIs. Under Buttler’s lead, England has suffered 22 defeats in 34 ODIs. The upcoming match against South Africa in Karachi is now a formality, having no further bearing on their fate in the tournament.
Ibrahim Zadran was pivotal in Afghanistan’s triumph, smashing 177 off 146 balls. Despite Jofra Archer’s initial three-wicket haul that left Afghanistan at a precarious 37 for three, partnerships of 103 with Hashmatullah Shahidi and 72 with Azmatullah Omarzai set the stage. Zadran’s explosive 111 off 55 balls with Mohammad Nabi in the final overs helped Afghanistan add a crucial 113 runs.
Mark Wood’s knee injury added another layer of difficulty. Although he managed eight overs after receiving treatment, his inability to complete his spell left England vulnerable in the closing stages.
### Breakdown of the First Innings
Just over a year and a half since Afghanistan’s shocking World Cup win over England in 2023, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who scored 80 in Delhi, fell early for six after Archer enticed a mishit onto the stumps through his pads. Archer quickly followed with a second, trapping Sediqullah Atal leg-before, before Rahmat Shah departed during the powerplay with a loose shot to Adil Rashid.
Though Zadran and Shahidi approached with caution, Wood’s injury seemed an omen of challenges to come. After a steady start, Shahidi eventually fell to Rashid for 40. Omarzai picked up the pace, smashing three sixes in his 31-ball 41 alongside Zadran, who marked Afghanistan’s first Champions Trophy century with a smart single.
Zadran wasn’t finished. With Wood leaving the field for good, Buttler had to shuffle his bowlers. Zadran took full advantage, hammering Archer for a six followed by three consecutive fours in a penultimate over that went for 20 runs. Root’s 47th over leaked 23 runs as Zadran and Nabi capitalized. Both Zadran and Nabi perished in the final over, but by then, the damage was well and truly done.
### England’s Second Innings Story
England’s chase stumbled early, with Phil Salt bowled by a sharp delivery from Omarzai and Jamie Smith misjudging Nabi’s spin, slicing to backward point immediately. After his record-breaking 165 against Australia, Duckett got a life on 30 but was finally pinned lbw for 38 by Rashid Khan following a successful review by Afghanistan.
Harry Brook played with intent to reach 25 but gifted a return catch to Nabi, leaving Root, calmly pacing his innings, and Buttler with a substantial task ahead. Root negotiated Afghanistan’s spinners with skill, employing back-foot strokes and reverse sweeps to reach half-century territory, while Buttler struggled initially.
Buttler survived a close lbw call against Nabi, and it appeared as if he was turning a corner, launching the off-spinner for two sixes as dew settled. However, a misjudged short delivery from Omarzai led to his downfall, followed by Livingstone’s untimely edge, giving Gulbadin Naib a wicket with his first ball.
Root notched up a 98-ball century — his first in ODIs since the 2019 World Cup after 37 innings — but was surprised by an extra-bouncy delivery from Omarzai, ending his formidable knock with a nick behind.
### The Tense Final Overs
Heading into the last two overs, England required 16 runs, but Fazalhaq Farooqi kept them at bay, allowing only three runs and claiming Archer’s wicket for good measure. While Wood managed to bat despite his earlier injury, Rashid ended as the final wicket, miscuing to provide Omarzai with a five-wicket haul and sparking wild celebrations in the Afghanistan camp.
