Image: Joe Root was seen crying after England team's shocking defeat to Afghanistan / © Outlook India
For the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, England suffered a shocking exit after losing to Afghanistan in a must-win game. Joe Root, who scored a brilliant 120 off 111 balls, was seen in tears as England lost by 12 runs while chasing 301. Despite Root’s efforts, England’s lower order collapsed, with Jamie Overton and Jofra Archer failing to finish the chase. Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran played a career-best knock of 177 off 146 balls, helping his team post a competitive total.
Azmatullah Omarzai’s 5-58 sealed the game for Afghanistan. England, now eliminated, will face South Africa in their final match. Meanwhile, Afghanistan will play Australia in another crucial fixture. In another match, Pakistan and Bangladesh, both already knocked out, will clash in Rawalpindi, where Pakistan has historically dominated with 34 wins in 39 ODIs against Bangladesh.