England knocked out of Champions Trophy by Afghanistan

LAHORE, Pakistan - Tournament debutants Afghanistan sent England packing from the Champions Trophy after opener Ibrahim Zadrans epic 177 set up their narrow eight-run victory in a Group B thriller on Wednesday.

Zadran produced the highest score in the tournaments history to help Afghanistan overcome Jofra Archers three early wickets and rack up 325-7.

Joe Roots classy 120 kept England alive in the chase until the 46th over but Afghanistan chipped away with regular wickets, eventually bowling them out for 317 with one ball left in the innings.

England were eliminated after their second successive defeat in the tournament and Jos Buttler risks losing the captains job after overseeing yet another poor campaign in an ICC event.

I dont want to say any emotional statements right now, Buttler said at the presentation ceremony.

For myself and the guys at the top, we should consider all possibilities.

Afghanistan also beat England at the 2023 ODI World Cup in India.

As a team we are happy, Afghan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi said.

I know the whole nation will be happy. Well look towards the next game.

Archer produced a three-wicket burst after Shahidi elected to bat in a contest that several British politicians wanted England to boycott over the curtailment of womens rights in Afghanistan under the Talibans rule.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz dragged one on to his stumps, Sediqullah Atal was trapped lbw and Rahmat Shah holed out to leave Afghanistan tottering on 37-3 in the ninth over.

Zadran combined in a 103-run stand with Shahidi (40) to prop up Afghanistan while Azmatullah Omarzai (41) and Mohammad Nabi (40) chipped in with useful cameos down the order.

Zadran needed 106 balls to bring up his sixth ODI hundred and went on to overcome England opener Ben Ducketts 165 against Australia on Saturday as the