England’s miserable white-ball winter reached its lowest ebb as they were eliminated from the Champions Trophy following a nerve-shredding defeat to Afghanistan which places Jos Buttler’s captaincy in jeopardy.
After England lost their Group B opener to Australia, Buttler accepted the stakes were high in Lahore for the first of two must-win ties but Afghanistan piled on the pressure with a total of 325 for seven.
Joe Root anchored the chase with a magnificent 120 off 111 deliveries but he fell with 39 needed off the last 25 balls and the lower-order could not get England over the line, all out for 317 to lose by eight runs.
A ninth defeat in 10 limited-overs matches since Brendon McCullum expanded his head coaching role last month leaves Buttler’s position vulnerable after yet another disappointing campaign at a major event.
