Why Afghanistan beat England in ICC Champions Trophy 2025

 

England’s loss to Afghanistan in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy marked a surprising and dramatic upset, as it led to their early exit from the tournament. Despite being one of the top teams in world cricket, England's performance was marred by several factors, and Afghanistan’s all-round effort was enough to seal an 8-run victory. 

1. Afghanistan’s Impressive Batting Performance Afghanistan’s batting effort was headlined by the stunning performance of Ibrahim Zadran, who scored a blistering 177 runs. Zadran’s innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression, and it provided Afghanistan with a solid foundation to post a challenging total. His knock was crucial in pushing Afghanistan to 325 runs for 7 wickets in their allotted 50 overs, a total that proved to be just enough despite England’s spirited chase. 

2. England’s Bowling Struggles England’s bowling attack on paper should have been one of the best in the world, but during this match, they were far from their best. Mark Wood, one of England's premier fast bowlers, was unavailable for the game due to injury, which severely hampered England’s pace attack. Wood’s absence meant that England lacked the speed and aggression that is often the cornerstone of their bowling strategy. His ability to bowl at high speeds and take crucial wickets in the middle overs would have been invaluable against Afghanistan’s top order. Additionally, England's death bowling left a lot to be desired. Afghanistan managed to score 113 runs in the final 10 overs of their innings, an area where England typically excels. The failure to effectively execute plans during the final overs allowed Afghanistan to post a total that was at least 20-30 runs more than what seemed par on the pitch. The lack of sharpness in the death overs was one of the critical areas where England faltered. The England bowlers also failed to make early breakthroughs. Afghanistan’s openers managed to build a steady partnership, and the early wickets that England would normally expect to take were missing. Rashid, despite being a key player for England, was unable to break the partnership, and the spinners were unable to put enough pressure on the batters during the middle overs. 

3. England’s Batting Response and the Root Factor In response to Afghanistan’s competitive total, England’s batting line-up was expected to chase down the target with relative ease. The team has one of the most potent top-orders in world cricket, with players like Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, and the ever-reliable Joe Root leading the charge. Root’s knock of 120 runs was the highlight of England’s chase, and he fought valiantly to keep his team in the game. His century was the backbone of the innings, and it demonstrated his class and composure in high-pressure situations. However, Root’s remarkable innings was the exception rather than the rule. The rest of England’s batting lineup failed to provide adequate support. Malan and Bairstow, both of whom are capable of playing match-winning knocks, were dismissed cheaply. Malan’s dismissal came at a time when England needed partnerships to build momentum, while Bairstow's inability to score freely early on put additional pressure on the middle order. The most significant issue with England’s chase was their lack of acceleration in the middle overs. Afghanistan's bowlers, led by Azmatullah Omarzai, who took 5 wickets for 58 runs, kept a tight grip on the scoring rate. England struggled to find boundaries, and the required run rate steadily climbed. The inability to rotate the strike effectively and capitalize on the loose deliveries allowed Afghanistan’s bowlers to control the flow of the game. 

4. The Impact of Injuries Injuries played a significant role in England’s loss. Apart from Mark Wood, other players were also hampered by minor fitness issues, which contributed to their below-par performance. Wood’s absence was particularly noticeable in the bowling department. His pace and aggression are critical for England in all formats, and his lack of presence meant that England’s attack lacked the venom it normally possesses. In addition, England’s lack of a strong bowling attack during the death overs meant that the pressure on their batsmen was immense. As Afghanistan set an imposing total, England’s need to chase at a fast rate became even more demanding. The absence of key players meant that England’s depth in both batting and bowling was not as robust as it could have been, and this compounded the team’s issues during the match. 

5. Afghanistan’s All-Round Performance While England’s performance was disappointing, Afghanistan’s victory can be attributed to their well-rounded performance. Besides Zadran’s exceptional innings, Afghanistan’s bowling attack delivered when it mattered most. Omarzai's five-wicket haul was a crucial factor in containing England’s chase, and his ability to take wickets at key moments stifled any attempts at a counter-attack. Afghanistan’s spinners, including Rashid Khan, also played important roles in strangling the flow of runs. Afghanistan’s fielding was another area where they excelled. Their sharp fielding efforts, combined with some spectacular catches, further hampered England’s chase. In contrast, England's fielding was not at its usual high standard, with some missed opportunities and misfields that allowed Afghanistan to gain an advantage. 

6. Tactical Decisions and Leadership One of the key aspects that led to England’s loss was a lack of tactical clarity at crucial moments. Captain Jos Buttler's leadership, although generally highly regarded, was called into question during this match. England's bowling changes were not as effective as expected, and the team was unable to adapt to the changing conditions. Buttler's decision-making during the middle overs, when Afghanistan started to accelerate, did not appear to have the desired impact, and England seemed to lack the intensity required to make quick breakthroughs. Moreover, the team’s approach to batting during the chase was overly cautious in the early stages. England’s reliance on a steady partnership rather than taking calculated risks early on put the middle order under unnecessary pressure. The inability to shift gears when required meant that England was constantly behind the required run rate.