England crash out of the Champions Trophy after a dramatic defeat to Afghanistan, with Buttler’s captaincy now under intense scrutiny despite Joe Root’s century. 🏏🚨

England’s dramatic eight-run defeat to Afghanistan on Wednesday has confirmed the team’s elimination from the 2025 Champions Trophy, marking a new low in their cricketing journey.

Despite a stellar century from Joe Root, England fell short in their pursuit of 326 runs, leaving their campaign in tatters.

The loss, which capped off a run of poor form, has raised serious questions about Jos Buttler’s future as captain and the direction of England’s limited-overs team.

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Buttler, who has been England’s white-ball captain since 2022, has overseen a period of decline for the once-dominant team. England’s defeat to Afghanistan—who were reeling at 37 for 3 early in the match—should have been a turning point.

But despite strong performances from Jofra Archer and Root, the team allowed Afghanistan to recover and set a challenging total of 325 for seven.

Root’s impressive 177-ball innings seemed like it could keep England in the hunt for a crucial victory. He fought through cramps, hitting sixes and boundaries, and continued to play aggressively despite mounting pressure.

His effort took England closer to the target, but with a middle-order collapse, including Buttler’s dismissal after a promising stand with Root, the momentum slipped away.

Buttler, who had taken the helm of England’s white-ball team after their historic World Cup win in 2019, has struggled to replicate the aggressive brand of cricket that initially made England world-beaters.

Injuries to key players like Mark Wood and Liam Livingstone only added to the pressure, with Wood having to play through a knee injury.

The team’s overall physical condition, combined with the tactical errors made during key moments, raised doubts over Buttler’s leadership and whether the captaincy is hindering his natural game.

The loss to Afghanistan also mirrored the disastrous run England suffered in the 2023 World Cup, where they were unable to live up to the lofty expectations that followed their 2019 victory.

The consistency of England’s poor performances, now spanning multiple tournaments, has led many to believe that a change in leadership is necessary.

Buttler himself admitted that “results are tough,” acknowledging that the pressure of the captaincy has taken its toll on both him and his team.

Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran played a key role in the match, taking the game away from England with a stunning knock of 177, ensuring that his team posted a challenging total.

His powerful stroke play, including straight sixes off Archer and Wood, left England’s bowlers scrambling to contain the damage.

Despite Archer’s early breakthrough and a solid performance from Wood, England’s bowling fell apart in the latter overs, conceding too many runs at crucial stages.

In the chase, England needed 58 from 36 balls with Root and Jamie Overton at the crease. Root’s remarkable knock continued, but as the target came closer, England faltered.

Overton’s quick-fire fours gave hope, but his and Archer’s dismissals in quick succession sealed the loss for England. Buttler’s team of “glory seekers” were left to reflect on a tournament that promised so much but ended in disappointment and humiliation.

The elimination from the Champions Trophy leaves England’s qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup in doubt, and they now face a difficult road ahead if they are to regain their position as one of the world’s top cricketing nations.

Buttler’s tenure, once marked by optimism and excitement, has turned into a struggle for survival as England fail to adapt to changing circumstances.

While Root’s performance was a bright spot, the team’s lack of depth in key moments, combined with the tactical mistakes and mounting injuries, means that a full rebuild is needed

. England fans and pundits alike are now calling for a change in captaincy, urging Buttler to step down and allow the team to refresh under new leadership.

With a crucial series against South Africa looming, England’s future in white-ball cricket is hanging by a thread, and the calls for “a clean start” have never been louder.