Former England captain Michael Vaughan has voiced his disappointment with England’s white-ball cricket, stating he was not surprised by their early exit from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after an eight-run defeat to Afghanistan at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.
Afghanistan’s remarkable win, built on a record-breaking 177 from Ibrahim Zadran and a stellar five-wicket haul by Azmatullah Omarzai, not only kept their semi-final hopes alive but also marked a bitter end to England’s campaign.
Reacting to the defeat, Vaughan didn’t hold back in his assessment:
“Brilliant from Afghanistan… Thoroughly deserved win. England just haven’t played good enough white-ball cricket for a couple of years. This result isn’t a surprise in these conditions,” Vaughan posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Afghanistan’s Grit Shines in Lahore
The encounter turned into a run-scoring fest that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Batting first, Afghanistan posted a formidable 325/7, with Zadran’s swashbuckling 177 (146) becoming the highest individual score in ICC Champions Trophy history. Valuable contributions from Azmatullah Omarzai (41) and Gulbadin Naib (40) ensured a competitive total.
Chasing 326, England’s innings hinged on Joe Root’s resilient 118, but despite his efforts, the team faltered in crucial moments. Omarzai’s bowling brilliance, finishing with 5/58, proved decisive, securing Afghanistan’s thrilling eight-run win.
Vaughan Highlights England’s White-Ball Decline
Vaughan’s remarks shed light on England’s declining form in white-ball cricket over recent years. Once dominant in limited-overs formats, the side has struggled for consistency, a trend highlighted by their group-stage exit.
England’s inability to handle subcontinental conditions further added to their woes, with Vaughan emphasizing that the loss to Afghanistan was far from unexpected.
Déjà Vu for Afghanistan Fans
Afghanistan’s victory evoked memories of their 2023 ODI World Cup triumph over England, with fans celebrating another famous scalp against the reigning champions of past editions.
With Afghanistan keeping their semi-final hopes alive, the cricketing world lauded their composure under pressure, while England was left to reflect on a campaign filled with missed opportunities and underwhelming performances.