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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.