Champions Trophy: Afghanistan Stun England In Edge Of The Seat Thriller, Knock Jos Buttler's Team Out Of Marquee ICC Event

Champions Trophy 2025: Afghanistan have done the unthinkable as they defeat England by eight runs. The Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side keeps writing history as they upset the Jos Buttler-led side, who have been suffering losses since their campaign began in Pakistan . Azmatullah Omarzai secured a five-wicket haul to cap off the spectacular win, and celebration happening all over as the Afghan Atalan took down a cricketing powerhouse in England.

England Shattered By Afghanistan, Jos Buttler-led Side Eliminated From Champions Trophy 2025

England Cricket's winless streak in ODI cricket continues as they suffer a deja vu-like situation of what they encountered in the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023. Despite putting up a strong performance, the Three Lions failed to sustain against Afghanistan's bowling attack. The English side suffered an early blow when opener Phil Salt could not sustain for long. In-form Ben Duckett also perished at 38 while Jamie Smith fell at nine, which crumbled the top order. Joe Root managed to bring momentum and stability as he scored 120 runs off 111 balls, which also included 11 boundaries and a six. Root was the sole man who delivered his best to not let England fall apart.

Afghanistan managed to pull off some timely breakthroughs, with Azmatullah Omarzai emerging as the superstar after he picked up a five-wicket haul. He scalped the wickets of Joe Root, Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Jamie Overton and Adil Rashid. England did not have any stable partnership to push them ahead, and all the burden to elevate the side was over Joe Root.

Fast bowler Mark Wood also suffered a suspected injury during the game, and he had to be taken out of play when Afghanistan was batting. While he returned an hour later, Wood looked in discomfort when he came out to bat.

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Afghanistan Pull Off A Miracle Despite Top Order Crumble

Afghanistan had suffered a major top-order collapse, but Ibrahim Zadran's spectacular knock and stitching clinical partnerships allowed them to stay afloat in the play. The AFG opener came into action and received a proper contribution from skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi and Azmatullah Omarzai. Mohammad Nabi also aided Ibrahim Zadran, who became a run machine and started firing the balls towards the boundaries to bring up his record-setting sixth ODI ton off 106 balls. England's bowling would face a lot of criticism as they conceded over 100 runs in the final ten overs.

In the end, Afghanistan dismantled England and knocked them out of the semifinal race for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. While Afghanistan's chances remain slim, they still have the chance to pull off something colossal in the ICC Champions Trophy.  

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