New Delhi: Englands chances of advancing in the Champions Trophy 2025 were thwarted by Afghanistans exciting victory over the team led by Jos Buttler on February 26. In a high-scoring match in Lahore Afghanistan triumphed over England by 8 runs eliminating Buttlers squad. England entered the game looking for redemption after a previous defeat to Australia while Afghanistan having faced their own loss to South Africa emerged as tough competitors. Following Ibrahim Zadrans historic century Afghanistan successfully defended a target of 326 runs thanks to Azmatullah Omarzais impressive five-wicket haul. England despite a strong performance from Joe Root was dismissed for 317 runs in 49.5 overs. Roots century a solid 120 runs off 111 balls offered some hope for England but the Afghan bowlers including Mohammad Nabi who took two wickets ultimately emerged victorious. Afghanistan set a formidable target of 325/7 largely thanks to Ibrahim Zadrans impressive score of 177 runs from 146 balls. Although Jofra Archer from England took three wickets Zadrans strong showing established a difficult challenge for the opposing team. After Englands exit from the tournament at the Gaddafi Stadium Indian cricket icon Sunil Gavaskar responded strongly to Englands captain Jos Buttlers comments about a unique tournament. Buttler had suggested that India holds an advantage in the Champions Trophy because they are playing all their matches at the same venue. In his response Gavaskar criticized England for their tendency to blame others instead of focusing on their own improvement. He suggested that England might attribute their difficulties to India pointing out that Rohit Sharmas team also played all their matches in Dubai thereby underscoring a pattern of deflecting responsibility rather than addressing their own issues. They will still come and start moaning the next morning. See they cannot lose. If they lose there has to be an excuse and the excuse cannot be that they weren’t better that day or the other team was better they will start blaming everything he said on the Dressing Room show. They will start blaming India also because India are playing all their matches in Dubai and why are we not playing our matches at one venue Gavaskar concluded. Due to the persistent political tensions between India and Pakistan the Indian cricket team did not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. The International Cricket Council (ICC) arranged for India to play all of their matches at a neutral location which was set as Dubai. Currently India and New Zealand are the only two teams that have secured their spots in the Champions Trophy. In contrast England Pakistan and Bangladesh have all concluded their participation in the eight-team tournament.