Afghanistan Stun England In High-Scoring Thriller, Keep CT 2025 Semifinal Hopes Alive

ENG Vs AFG: A 'Joe Root Special' in Lahore went in vain as Afghanistan beat England in ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to stay alive in the tournament. Read below.

Afghanistan defeated England by 8 runs to stay alive in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Source : @X/ACBofficials

ENG Vs AFG: Afghanistan attain a famous 8-run win against England in ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Group B match on Wednesday, February 26 to keep their semi-final hopes alive, as Joe Root's impressive 120 goes in vain.

READ HERE: ENG Opener Becomes Nation's Fastest Batter To 1000 ODI Runs During CT 2025 Match Vs AFG

In what was a virtual quarter-final between the sides at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Afghanistan came out triumphant against Jos Buttler's men, as England now join Pakistan and Bangladesh in the list of sides officially eliminated form the tournament.

𝐀𝐅𝐆𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍 𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐃! 🙌

Afghanistan has successfully defended their total and defeated England by 8 runs to register their first-ever victory in the ICC Champions Trophy. 🤩

This marks Afghanistan's second consecutive victory over England in ICC… pic.twitter.com/wHfxnuZiPc

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) February 26, 2025

England's Run-Chase In A Nutshell

England started off aggresively, as Phil Salt and Ben Duckett made their intentions clear in their quest to chase 326. However, Azmatullah Omarzai dealt the side a huge blow with the dismissal of Phil Salt.

Jamie Smith failed to make his promotion up-the-order count, with him falling for 9 off the very first delivery from Mohammad Nabi.

The likes of Ben Duckett and Harry Brook got off to a start, but failed to make it count with their dismissals on 38 and 25 respectively.

With England reeling at 133/4, all eyes were on captain Jos Buttler to guide his side home alongside legendary Joe Root. The pair added 83 runs in their 5th wicket partnership to steady England's run-chase, but Afghanistan pulled back with the dismissals of Jos Buttler and Liam Livingstone.

Joe Root ended his 6-year wait for an ODI ton, and it just came at the most crucial time for England, as his 120-run knock almost saved his side from the brink of elimination.

The match remained evenly-poised until the very last over, as boundaries and wickets occured at regular intervals.

Vital knocks from Jamie Overton and Jofra Archer ensured England do not bottle a run-chase that was made pretty gettable by Joe Root's brilliance, but the last 3 overs saw Afghanistan turn the tables and keep their semi-final hopes alive.