Summary

Live Reporting

by Callum Matthews & Ffion Wynne

  1. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    On this surface you get absolute maximum value for your shots. You don't have to do much.

  2. Eng 4-0

    That'll do!

    Phil Salt thumps the first ball down the ground for four as Fazalhaq Farooqi overpitches.

  3. Anyway, positives.

    The way Afghanistan finished their innings shows that this is still a very good pitch and England scored 351 just a few days ago - albeit batting first, but Australia then showed the benefits of chasing if the dew comes into play.

    Ben Duckett and Phil Salt make their way to the middle.

    326 is the target to keep England in this competition. Strap in - no matter the end result, it'll be eventful.

  4. How's stat?!

    Soham Sarkhel
    CricViz analyst

    England's pacers at the death (overs 41-50) in this competition:

    • Full Toss - 6 runs off 4 balls (Batting S/R 150)
    • Yorker - 8 runs off 8 balls (S/R 100)
    • Full - 47 runs off 17 balls (S/R 276)
    • Good length - 29 runs off 17 balls (S/R 171)
    • Hard length - 33 runs off 16 balls (S/R 206)
    • Bouncers - 30 runs off 14 balls (S/R 214)

  5. There have been plenty of moments since the beginning of 2025 where the wheels have fallen off for England's men and women.

    This is up there.

    The 44th over from Jofra Archer cost 20, the 47th from Joe Root cost 23. Watch at your own peril.

    Champions Trophy: Afghanistan's Ibrahim Zadran hits Jofra Archer for 20 off the over

    Champions Trophy: England's Joe Root suffers costly over

  6. Afghanistan batter Ibrahim Zadran, speaking after his 177: "I have been away from cricket for seven months with injury and it is not easy to come back into playing ODI cricket. The expectation was there from me, I wanted to play that sort of innings.

    "I was under some pressure, but I enjoyed that feeling. I have been trying to work on my basics and take my time more in this format. I just try to keep my game simple and be disciplined.

    "That is my job and I hope to perform more like that in the future."

  7. How's stat?!

    Soham Sarkhel
    CricViz analyst

    Highest individual scores in the ICC Champions Trophy

    • 177 (146) - Ibrahim Zadran (AFG) v England, Lahore, Today
    • 165 (143) - Ben Duckett (ENG) v Australia, Lahore, 2025
    • 145* (151) - Nathan Astle (NZ) v USA, The Oval, 2004
    • 145 (164) - Andy Flower (ZIM) v India, Colombo (RPS), 2002
    • 141* (142) - Sourav Ganguly (IND) v South Africa, Nairobi, 2000
    • 141 (128) - Sachin Tendulkar (IND) v Australia, Dhaka, 1998
    • 141 (134) - Graeme Smith (SA) v England, Centurion, 2009

  8. Jokes aside about the cautious start of Afghanistan's innings, it is one that England could learn plenty from.

    Ibrahim Zadran reached his half-century from 65 balls, withstood the pressure of his side falling to 37-3, and then cashed in.

    The opener fell in the 50th over for 177 from 146 balls with 12 fours and six sixes. Yes, England were poor, but that was a sensational innings.

    Champions Trophy: Best shots from Ibrahim Zadran's innings

  9. Well, it's fair to say that Callum had the more entertaining (!) half of that innings.

    I didn't quite expect to see 325 on the scorecard when I handed over at 103-3. Overs 41-50 went for 113 runs alone.

    Anyway, shall we brave a recap of how it all unfolded/unravelled?

  10. Time for me to go and have a lie down in a dark room after that.

    Here's Ffion Wynne to review the innings and look at the task ahead of England. They need to complete their highest chase at an ICC event.

  11. Obviously the narrative is going to be around Jos Buttler and his role as captain again if England lose this game and exit the Champions Trophy.

    He won the 2022 T20 World Cup in his first ICC tournament, but poor 50-over and 20-over title defences have followed in 2023 and 2024.

    This tournament is threatening to follow the previous two.

  12. Get Involved

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    Regardless of how this match ends, surely it is time to put Buttler's captaincy out of its misery?

    Andrew

  13. 'It won't be comfortable viewing'

    Vic Marks
    Former England spinner on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    What a brilliant innings from Ibrahim Zadran. He never slogged it, they were all beautiful strokes.

    326, dew or no dew, it will take some effort. England will need a fast start, there's no guarantee of reaching this one. It won't be comfortable viewing.

  14. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    What a remarkable last over.

    There's a challenging task ahead for England.

  15. Afghanistan added 113 runs and lost two wickets in the final 10 overs.

    It was pretty messy stuff from England to be honest.

  16. England need 326 to win
    Breaking

    Afg 325-7

    A very, very good final over from Liam Livingstone.

    Two wickets and just two runs from it.

    England need 326 to stay in the Champions Trophy.

  17. Vic Marks
    Former England spinner on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    That was an excellent innings from Mohammad Nabi.

    Not bad for a 40-year-old.

  18. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    This last over is working out quite well for England.

  19. wicket

    WICKET

    Nabi c Root b Livingstone 40 (Afg 324-7)

    Another wicket.

    Mohammad Nabi tries to clear the ropes, understandably, but Joe Root is able to hold it on the long-on boundary.

    This is a good final over from Liam Livingstone so far.

  20. Vic Marks
    Former England spinner on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    That was an amazing innings from Ibrahim Zadran.

    He doesn't walk off smiling, he wanted more.