Afghanistan vs England highlights, Champions Trophy 2025: Afghanistan win by 8 runs; England knocked out

Right then, Group B is heating up and with England now out of the race for the semifinals, we have a three-way race between Afghanistan, Australia and South Africa for the top two spots. Next up, it is another game in Group A as hosts Pakistan take on Bangladesh in Rawalpindi in what will be a match for pride with the loser finishing without a single win. That game will be played on Thursday, 27 February and will begin at 9 am GMT. However, as usual, you can tune in to our build-up about an hour in advance. Cheers!

Hashmatullah Shahidi, the skipper of Afghanistan, says that he is pretty happy with the team’s effort and the entire nation back home will be happy for this win as an underdog has rewritten history again. Adds that it was a wholesome experience beating England in the World Cup 2023 and they are improving day-by-day which is showing in their performances over the years in the big ICC events. States that today’s was a tense game but they controlled the end moments well and absorbed the pressure pretty well to get over the line. Mentions that Ibrahim Zadran is really a talented player as there was too much pressure when they were three down in the first inning but the partnership between him and Zadran set up the game for themselves. He rates the knock of Ibrahim as one of the best he has ever seen and Azmatullah Omarzai also played really well in the end with good intent, in the bowling, he was just exceptional, picking up a five-wicket haul. Emphasizes that the beauty of their group is that they have a few youngsters and experienced guys too so it is a good mix of both and everyone knows the roles so they keep performing well and he is pretty happy with that. Talks about the game against Australia and says, this win will give them a lot of confidence and they are looking forward to that challenge. 

Jos Buttler, the captain of England says that it is really disappointing to be out of the tournament and reckons that they had their chances in the game but are gutted. Adds that Joe Root batted wonderfully and needed one of the top 6 batters to stay with him. Feels that Jamie Overton added a good stand with him as well before eventually it got away from them. Mentions that things got away in the final 10 overs off the first innings and admits that Ibrahim played really well. On the injury to Mark Wood, Buttler credits the fast bowler for returning on the field after hurting his knees and informs that he will be further assessed later on. Reminds that Liam Livingstone also went off the field at one point and even he came back on and they have to use their resources to break the stand in the death overs. On Root, he says that his ODI record is outstanding and he showed great character and if one of the batters had stayed with him, things could have been different. Ends by talking about his own form and reckons that he isn't far away from his best but is disappointed to not deliver.

Ibrahim Zadran is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his match-winning daddy hundred. Says that he was expecting the catch and is happy to grab the match-winning catch. Adds that he batted for 50 overs but he wanted to go on the ground and contribute to the team with his fielding and he is happy that he did that. Mentions that this hundred means a lot to him and he talks about the hard work he has put in the practice sessions that has paid off. States that he trusted himself and he wanted to bat as long as he could. Further adds that they did play here last time in the Asia Cup so he knew the conditions and he had an idea as he just wanted to play proper cricketing shots. Tells that when you win any game, it automatically gives you a lot of energy and excitement and a different kind of confidence. Says that in the end, the team wins which plays better cricket and today, they did that and the credit goes to the the group. Talks about the preparation against Australia and he says that they will try not to make many mistakes there and bring their A game.

The Presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Hashmatullah Shahidi had no hesitation in batting first even though in the last game at this venue we saw a lot of dew during the chase and wanted to just stick to the team's strengths. However, his decision seemed to backfire a bit and Afghanistan lost 3 wickets for 30-odd runs inside the first 10 overs. Jofra Archer was the one who ripped through the top order but Ibrahim Zadran held up one end nicely and then started to tick along nicely. He added meaningful stands with the skipper and then with Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi, eventually going on to score a mammoth 177 runs as Afghanistan breached 320 runs.

England will be absolutely gutted right now and their ODI form continues to be on the downside rather than getting up. Since that 2023 ODI World Cup, England simply haven't been able to play as a cohesive unit in big games and yet again, it was a patchy performance. Ben Duckett got off to a good start but they lost a couple of early wickets and then Joe Root showed them how to work their way through the middle overs but the likes of Duckett and then Jos Buttler couldn't kick on after getting a fine start. Root went on to notch up a fine ton but was struggling for fitness and eventually perished at the death, at a crucial juncture and they just left too much to do for their bowlers down the order. 

For so long, Afghanistan have been dubbed as the upcoming team, as the giant killers when they win a game against the big boys but now, they are inching closer and closer towards becoming one of the top white-ball sides in the world, especially in sub-continental conditions. After having got to well over 300 runs, Afghanistan were always in the game and they got off to a good start as well, picking up an early wicket. The game ebbed and flowed but the spinners bowled 18 overs on the trot from overs 17-34 and kept things in check. However, it was Azmatullah Omarzai who was the real difference maker as he picked up the crucial wicket of Jos Buttler and then that of Joe Root at the death before cleaning things up and ending with a sensational five-wicket haul.

AFGHANISTAN KEEP REWRITING HISTORY! The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore has produced yet another classic and look who's involved in a close finish again? Yes, it is England and yet again, they have been undone at the death and are knocked out of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Afghanistan though will have their eyes on creating more history as they have a one-game shootout against Australia, yes the same side they lost so heartbreakingly against in that 2023 ODI World Cup and boy, that should be some game. Spare a thought for Joe Root though, finding an ODI ton after almost 6 years and giving it his all, but it just wasn't enough. Some really sad faces in the English camp. 

Azmatullah Omarzai to Adil Rashid, OUT! CAUGHT! AFGHANISTAN HAVE DONE IT! AND ENGLAND ARE KNOCKED OUT OF THE CHAMPIONS TROPHY 2025! Azmatullah Omarzai is the superstar as he picks up a five-wicket haul in their must-win match. He bowls this slightly fuller, around off, Adil Rashid has to swing at it and he does so but mistimes it and gets it through the outer half of the bat. The ball goes high in the air towards long off where Ibrahim Zadran backtracks a bit and takes it with his outstretched hands to his right. AFGHANISTAN WIN BY 8 RUNS. 

Azmatullah Omarzai to Mark Wood, Goes fuller, around off, Wood drills it out to long off but just for a single only. They need now 9 runs off the last 2 balls. Will have to hit boundaries now. 

Azmatullah Omarzai to Adil Rashid, Hard length, around off, Adil Rashid moves across a bit and looks to pull it but gets a top edge that flies towards long off but just falls ahead of the incoming fielder and the batters take a single.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Mark Wood, On a good length, and outside off, Wood swings at it and slaps it hard but straight to deep cover for a single. He has done his job. England need 11 now off the last four balls. 

Azmatullah Omarzai to Adil Rashid, Back of a length, around off, with pace off, Adil Rashid makes room and thumps it to long off and wants to have second but the fielder is quick to throw the ball at the non-striker's end and the batters have to restrict for just a single.

13 needed off the final over. Azmatullah Omarzai to bowl it and he's been brilliant all evening and a wicket here will finish things off in style but one big hit and England will be back in it. It seems like the umpires are calling Fazalhaq Farooqi back onto the field as he went off after the last over and probably the right call, if you're fit enough to bowl then you're fit enough to field.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Mark Wood, Hard length, around off, Wood taps it towards backward point and wants to have a quick single but is sent back by Adil Rashid as he wants the strike for the next over. Now, the equation has gone to 13 off the last 6 for England.

Mark Wood is the last man in for England.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Jofra Archer, OUT! CAUGHT! ENGLAND ARE NINE DOWN! AFGHANISTAN NEED JUST ONE NOW! Fazalhaq Farooqi is bowling cleverly here as he takes the pace off, rolls his fingers and serves it on a good length just outside off, Jofra Archer mistimes his shot as he looks to slog it down the ground. The ball catches the upper part of the bat and goes in the air towards long on where the much experienced Mohammad Nabi takes it with both hands at his chest height yet again. England are 313/9. They need 13 off the last seven balls.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Adil Rashid, Back of a length, around off, Adil Rashid opens the face of the bat and guides it to short third man for a quick single. The fielder makes a throw at the batter's end but misses. 

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Jofra Archer, A low full toss, in trying to attempt a yorker, just outside off, Jofra Archer extends his arms and drills it to sweeper cover for a single. Good bowling from Fazalhaq Farooqi under pressure as he has given just two runs of the first three balls. 

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Adil Rashid, Slower again, but fuller and well outside off, Adil Rashid goes low and looks to loft it inside out over cover but gets it through the inner half of the bat to long off for a single. 

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Adil Rashid, Slower length ball, from around the wicket, on off, Adil Rashid gets squared up and drops it down back to the bowler. 

Azmatullah Omarzai to Adil Rashid, Back of a length, with pace off, around off, Adil Rashid taps it wide of cover and runs it for a quick single. They need 16 off the last two overs.

Adil Rashid walks out to bat now.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Jamie Overton, OUT! CAUGHT! AZMATULLAH OMARZAI IS TURNING THIS GAME ON ITS HEAD! He picks up his fourth wicket of the evening as he bowls a slower ball again, a bit fuller, around off, Jamie Overton clears out his front leg and looks to thump it down the ground. He gets deceived by the lack of pace and mistimes this towards long on where Mohammad Nabi makes no mistakes as he pouches it with both hands at his chest height. England are 309/8 and they need 17 off the last 13 balls. 

Azmatullah Omarzai to Jofra Archer, Slightly fuller, around middle, Archer knocks it down to long on for a single. Quite a sensible batting from both batters here. 

Azmatullah Omarzai to Jamie Overton, Back of a length, around off, Overton turns it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Jamie Overton, FOUR! BOUNDARY UNDER PRESSURE! Back of a length, touch outside off, with pace off again, Jamie Overton gets inside of the line of the ball and pulls it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a boundary. Ibrahim Zadran overruns it and again a sloppy effort in the field from Afghanistan.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Jofra Archer, DROPPED! Slightly fuller, slower as well, outside off, Jofra Archer plants his front leg ahead and looks to slog it over cover. He mistimes it high in the air as Rashid Khan runs back a long way to his left from mid off and extends his arms to catch it but the ball bursts out through his hands. Meanwhile, they run for a single. 

Azmatullah Omarzai to Jofra Archer, WIDE! Bangs in short of a length, above the head, Jofra Archer ducks under it. Called a wide.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Jamie Overton, DOT BALL! On a good length, around off, angling in, Jamie Overton gets squared up and defends it. England need 25 now. 

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Jamie Overton, 300 comes up for England! A low full toss again from Fazalhaq Farooqi outside off, Jamie Overton opens the face of the bat and drills it in the gap towards deep point. The fielder Sediqullah Atal makes a fumble there in collecting the ball properly and the batters run through for the second. 

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Jofra Archer, A low full toss, around off, Archer drills it to long off for a single.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Jofra Archer, FOUR! EDGED AND BOUNDARY! Slower length ball, around middle, Jofra Archer comes down the track and gets deceived by the lack of pace but goes for the pull shot and gets an inside edge as the ball passes the leg stump and goes for a boundary at deep fine leg. Azmatullah Omarzai gives it a chase but fails to stop the boundary. 

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Jofra Archer, A bit slower and on a good length, around off, Jofra Archer uses his wrists to turn it wide of mid-wicket and runs off for the second one as the fielder in the deep is a bit late in throwing to the keeper.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Jamie Overton, Starts with a full ball, around middle and off, Jamie Overton lunges and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Jofra Archer, FOUR! WHAT A WAY TO GET OFF THE MARK! Hard length and outside off, Jofra Archer stands tall and crashes it absolutely in the gap towards backward point for a boundary. They need 35 now. 

Jofra Archer walks out to bat now.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Joe Root, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! AFGHANISTAN'S PLAYERS ARE PUMPED UP AS JOE ROOT IS GONE! Azmatullah Omarzai breaks the partnership again as he has got the dangerous man. He changes his pace again, a bit slower and hits the deck hard, back of a length, around off. Joe Root waits for it, makes room by going to the leg side, and opens the face of the bat off late to guide it towards third man but he manages to get a thick outside edge only. The ball goes towards the keeper where Rahmanullah Gurbaz moves to his right and takes it with both hands. End of a fine knock from Root but England are now 7 down and they need 39 off the last 25 balls. 

Azmatullah Omarzai to Joe Root, A bit slower again, back of a length, around middle and leg, Joe Root swivels and drops it down towards mid-wicket, He steals the second one despite being struggling with cramps. 

Azmatullah Omarzai to Joe Root, FOUR! PURE CLASS! Slower length ball, around middle Joe Root checks his shot because of the lack of pace and drags it by pulling it along the ground to deep square leg for a boundary. 

Azmatullah Omarzai to Jamie Overton, On a good length, around off, Overton punches it to cover and runs off for a quick single. The fielder makes a throw at the non-striker's end but misses.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Jamie Overton, Bangs in short of a length, around middle, Jamie Overton makes room and pulls it along the ground to deep mid-wicket and takes a couple of runs. Ibrahim Zadran runs in to his right and saves the boundary there.

Azmatullah Omarzai (7-0-32-2) is back on and he will probably bowl three overs at the death, three big overs.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Joe Root, A dot to end and now 48 needed off 30 balls! Slower one, floated full and wide outside off Joe Root goes for the reverse lap but misses.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Jamie Overton, Nice and full, floated up outside off, there to be driven and Overton creams it away to long off for just a single. Rashid Khan attacked the ball brilliantly there.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Jamie Overton, Full and wide outside off, Jamie Overton gets across and inside the line before hoicking it away wide of deep square leg and the batters do well to come back for two.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Jamie Overton, Floats it up a bit fuller on off, angling it in, Overton backs away and taps it to covers. No run there!

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Joe Root, Just back of a length and around off, tapped away in front of covers for one.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Joe Root, SIX! What a time to get your first six of the game and what a way to do it as well, unbelievable. Banged into the deck a bit and well outside off, Farooqi saw Joe Root walking across but Root brings out the scoop, doesn't even have his eyes on the ball when the connection is made but gets it off the middle of the bat and over fine leg for a biggie.