England were dumped from the Champions Trophy tournament today after suffering an eight-run defeat to Afghanistan in Lahore.
Joe Root threatened to rescue his side from the brink, hitting a superb 120 as others fell around him in pursuit of 326.
Root was caught with 39 runs needed from 26 balls as Afghanistan, who would have also been out with defeat, came roaring back.
England at one stage needed 17 from 14 balls with three wickets left – but they fell away after Jamie Overton hit to long-on for 32 as the side was dismissed for 317.
They managed only singles from the first four balls and Rashid was caught at long-off off the penultimate delivery as England were dismissed for 317.
Earlier Ibrahim Zadran took Afghanistan to 325-7 with a sensational 177 from 146 balls after they slumped to 37 for 3 at one stage.
Defeat means England are eliminated at the earliest opportunity – their fate decided before the final group match against South Africa in Karachi on Saturday.
After the final catch was taken, the thousands of Afghanistan fans inside the stadium in Lahore were dancing in the aisles.
English (US) ·