ENGvAFG Archives

Champions Trophy: Jos Buttler opens up on captaincy future after Afghanistan loss

LAHORE: England skipper Jos Buttler opened up on his captaincy future after Afghanistan knocked his team out of the tournament in the eighth match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 here at Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.

Chasing a daunting total of 326 in a virtual knockout, England were bowled out on 317 in 49.5 overs. Afghanistan Azmatullah Omarzai starred with the ball, taking a five-wicket haul.

With this victory, Afghanistan kept their hopes alive for the Champions Trophy, while England, the runners-up in 2004 and 2013, were eliminated from the tournament after losing their first two matches.

Following the defeat, Buttler, in a post-match press conference, stated that he would “consider all possibilities.”

“It’s tough to say, stood here right now, and I don’t want to make any sort of emotional statements.”

Catch every Champions Trophy update here!

“But I think it’s fair to say that you’ve got to consider all possibilities,” Buttler said.

He emphasized the joys and challenges of being a captain, as well as the current form of the England team.

“I’ve enjoyed it [the captaincy]. I’ve seen lots of people say it doesn’t sit well with me, but I do enjoy it. I enjoy the challenge.”

“Obviously I don’t enjoy losing games of cricket and the results. And of course when they’re not going well, you do look at yourself in the mirror and say, ‘Am I part of the problem or am I part of the solution?’ I think that’s what I’ve got to work out.” he remarked.

Jos Buttler further asserted that his future as a captain is not in his hands and will take a little time to think about the leadership role.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“You [the press] are probably not the first people I’d discuss that with,” he said. “I’ll take a little bit of time to work out, personally, what I think is right, and obviously, the guys at the top are in charge, and they’ll have their own views as well.” the skipper concluded.

For the unversed, Jos Buttler guided England to victory in the 2022 T20 World Cup, his first tournament as captain.

However, the team has struggled since then, losing six of nine matches in the 2023 ODI World Cup.

The team experienced a heavy defeat to India in the semifinals of the 2024 T20 World Cup and is now being knocked out of the Champions Trophy with one group match left, having lost consecutively to Australia and Afghanistan.

READ: Champions Trophy: Afghanistan script iconic victory over England in last-over thriller

Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran breaks plethora of records with 177 against England

LAHORE: Afghanistan opener Ibrahim Zadran shattered records with a magnificent 177 against England in the eighth match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 here at Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.

The right-hander smashed 177 off 146 deliveries, laced with 12 elegant fours and six huge sixes, helping his team reach a formidable total of 325 in 50 overs.

Afghanistan Zadran’s 177 runs surpassed the previous highest score record of 165 runs in the Champions Trophy, set by the England opener Ben Duckett earlier in the fourth match of the tournament.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Highest Individual Scores in Champions Trophy History:

Ibrahim Zadran 177 vs England (2025)
Ben Duckett 165 vs Australia (2025)
Nathan Astle 145* vs USA (2004)

With his blistering innings, Zadran also broke his own record of 162, previously the highest ODI score by an Afghanistan batter.

His century was only the second scored by an Afghanistan batter in the ICC limited-overs tournament. He had earlier scored Afghanistan’s first ODI World Cup century against Australia in 2023.

Furthermore, at just 23 years old, he became the ninth youngest batter to score six One Day International centuries.

He surpassed legendary cricketers Jacques Kallis, Ricky Ponting, Chris Gayle, Mahela Jayawardene, and Yuvraj Singh in terms of ODI hundreds at this age.

Catch every Champions Trophy update here!

Most ODI hundreds aged 23 or less

Matches Centuries

Virat Kohli (IND) 87 – 13
Quinton de Kock (SA) 69 – 11
Sachin Tendulkar (IND) 140 – 11
Babar Azam (PAK) 49 – 8
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (AFG) 48 – 8
Imam-ul-Haq (PAK) 37 – 7
Salman Butt (PAK) 57 – 7
Ahmed Shehzad (PAK) 73 – 6
Ibrahim Zadran (AFG) 35* – 6

READ: Fakhar Zaman opens up on reports of retirement

Champions Trophy: Jofra Archer creates history, breaks James Anderson’s record

LAHORE: England speedster Jofra Archer etched his name into record books during the match against Afghanistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.

Archer shattered the record for the fastest 50 wickets in ODIs by an England cricketer, surpassing the legendary James Anderson.

The England fast bowler reached the feat in the fifth over of the match, dismissing the Afghanistan top order batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

Catch every Champions Trophy update here!

The 29-year-old fast bowler delivered an exceptional opening spell, taking back-to-back wickets in two overs during his 30th One Day International, helping to push back the Afghanistan team.in two overs in his 30th One Day International.

Fastest England Bowlers to 50 ODI Wickets:

Jofra Archer – 30 matches vs Afghanistan (2025)
James Anderson – 31 matches vs West Indies (2004)
Steve Harmison – 32 matches vs Australia (2005)
Steven Finn – 33 matches vs New Zealand (2013)
Darren Gough – 34 matches vs New Zealand (1997)

The leading wicket-taker for fast bowlers in Test matches, Anderson previously held the record, achieving this milestone in 31 matches against the West Indies in 2004.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

For the unversed, the record for the quickest bowler to take 50 scalps in an ODI belongs to former Sri Lankan spin wizard Ajantha Mendis, who achieved this feat in just 19 matches back in 2009.

READ: We can’t replace entire team with U19 players’: Aqib Javed backs Pakistan’s current squad

Champions Trophy: Semi-final qualification scenario after South Africa-Australia washout

RAWALPINDI: The much-anticipated match between South Africa and Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled for Tuesday, was called off due to persistent rain, leaving Group B wide open for all four teams

The showers continued throughout the afternoon, preventing the toss from taking place, and the match was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Following the washout, the Proteas remain at the top of Group B with three points at an NRR of +2.140, while the Aussies are on second spot with +0.475.

Australia started their campaign with a remarkable victory over England at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, while South Africa secured a 107-run victory over Afghanistan in their opening game in Karachi.

As the group stage of the Champions Trophy reaches its climax, the qualification chances of each team in Group B hang in the balance. Here’s a breakdown of what’s at stake for each of the four teams:

South Africa

South Africa is well-positioned to progress, boasting a healthy net run rate (NRR) of +2.140 after their convincing 107-run win against Afghanistan.

Catch every Champions Trophy update here!

The Protease semifinal spot will be guaranteed with a win over England. If England doesn’t win both of their remaining games, they won’t be eliminated even if they lose against them.

Australia

Australia, champions in 2006 and 2009, have a solid chance of progressing to the knockout stage. A win versus Afghanistan in their final match will guarantee their place in the semi-final. However, a loss will leave Australia depending on South Africa to defeat England.

Ranks	Teams	Played	Won	Lost	N/R	Points	Net RR
1	South Africa	2	1	0	1	3	+2.140
2	Australia	2	1	0	1	3	+0.475
3	England	1	0	1	0	0	-0.475
4	Afghanistan	1	0	1	0	0	-2.140

England

England is on the brink of elimination after losing their opening game against arch-rivals Australia. Skipper Jos Buttler’s England will be eyeing a victory against Afghanistan in their upcoming clash, which could decide the fate of all four teams in Group B.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Afghanistan

Afghanistan, playing in its first Champions Trophy, faces an uphill task after its crushing defeat against South Africa. To stay in contention for the semi-finals, they have to win both their remaining games against England and Australia.

Each upcoming game in Group B is effectively a knockout contest, with the qualification hopes of each team hanging precariously in the balance.

Notably, New Zealand and India have already secured their place in the last four, while host and defending champions Pakistan and Bangladesh have been eliminated.

READ: Champions Trophy: Jos Buttler confident of England’s comeback against Afghanistan

Champions Trophy: Jos Buttler confident of England’s comeback against Afghanistan

LAHORE: England captain Jos Buttler is hopeful for a strong comeback in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash against Afghanistan, scheduled to be played in Lahore on 26 February.

While speaking at a pre-match press conference, Buttler expressed disappointment over the injury of fast-bowling all-rounder Brydon Carse.

“It’s unfortunate to lose Brydon Carse at this stage,but that’s part of the game,” he said.

England’s team lost against Australia in their Champions Trophy opener after posting a mammoth 352-run total. However, the England team captain remains confident that his team will perform well against Afghanistan.

“We will try not to repeat our mistakes and play good cricket. Obviously, It is difficult to set a target on this pitch.”

“I am hopeful both teams will play quality cricket,” said Buttler.

Catch every Champions Trophy update here!

He also reflected on the difficulties Afghan women face in education and sports.

“Women in Afghanistan are facing challenges; we hope that tomorrow’s encounter can be a source of hope for their betterment,” Buttler remarked.

When asked about Harry Brook’s form, Butler backed him as one of the best young batters in the world.

“I am not worried about Harry’s form; we all know that he is one of the world’s best batters right now,” he added.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Jos Buttler also supported the fast bowlers despite their struggle to contain the Australian batters while defending a big total.

“The Australian batters played well; one big innings turned the match. We made some mistakes in the first match, but we will try not to repeat them and will bounce back against Afghanistan,” he concluded

READ: Even India’s B team would give Pakistan a tough challenge: Sunil Gavaskar