Afghanistan knocking England out of Champions Trophy; Ibrahim Zadran

For England, though, who also lost their opener to Australia in Lahore, the defeat simply represents the nadir of a terrible white-ball winter, with a big question mark now over the future of captain Jos Buttler.

“I don’t want to say any emotional statements right now,” Buttler said afterwards.

“For myself and the guys at the top, we should consider all possibilities.”

Australia will know what a tough match awaits them on Friday as Afghanistan demonstrated why their win over England at the 2023 World Cup in India was no fluke.

The 23-year-old Zadran’s innings was magnificent, featuring 12 fours and six sixes, after Afghanistan had elected to bat and had to withstand a triple strike from Jofra Archer (3-64) in the first five overs.

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Zadran repaired the damage with skipper Shahidi (40) in a 103-run partnership.

But it was only in the last 10 overs that he really excelled, smashing Archer for 20 in one of them as Afghanistan rattled up 113 off the final 60 balls and Zadran went past Ben Duckett’s individual Champions Trophy record of 165 made against Australia last Saturday.

With the pressure on, England were reliant Root’s mastery to hold the chase together as fast bowler Azmat Omarzai, who’d also cracked 41 off 31 balls, proved their bowling star with 5-58.

Omarzai’s victims included Phil Salt, the first wicket in the innings to fall as he departed for just 12, Buttler for 38 and, most critically, Root for 120.

The Yorkshire maestro had been at the crease for 111 balls when tempted to swat at a short ball, which he could only glove behind, leaving England 7-287, with 30 still needed.

Jamie Overton made a late, brave 32 but once he too had fallen to Omarzai, England were doomed, leaving their former batter Jonathan Trott, who now coaches Afghanistan, to celebrate.

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