England’s cricket team was defeated by South Africa, scoring only 179 runs in the 2025 Champions Trophy. The Proteas’ bowlers dominated, claiming three wickets each. Afghanistan’s slim hopes for semi-final qualification required a large margin victory by England over South Africa, following a rain-affected match with Australia. The outcomes of these matches significantly impacted team standings and progression in the tournament.
In a disappointing performance for England, the team collapsed to 179 runs against South Africa in the ongoing 2025 Champions Trophy. Despite some contributions from Joe Root and Jofra Archer, England struggled against a formidable South African bowling attack led by Marco Jansen and Wlaan Mulder, both of whom took three wickets each. The English captain, Jos Buttler, opted to bat first after winning the toss, but this match was primarily a fight for pride as they faced elimination from the tournament.
During the match, England made a significant change, bringing in Saqib Mahmood to replace Mark Wood. South Africa, on the other hand, saw captain Temba Bavuma absent due to illness, with Aiden Markram stepping up to lead the side. Additional changes included the inclusion of Tristan Stubbs and Henrich Klaasen in place of Tony Dezori and Bavuma. As England battled, Afghanistan kept a close watch on the outcome, hoping for a favorable result that would impact their semi-final hopes.
For Afghanistan to secure a place in the semi-finals, England needed to win against South Africa by a considerable margin. Following the rain-affected match between Afghanistan and Australia, where both teams shared a point, England’s victory by a significant score would be essential to lower South Africa’s net run rate (NRR) compared to Afghanistan. In a hypothetical scenario, if England were to set a target of 301 runs, they would require a victory of at least 207 runs to enable Afghanistan’s qualification hopes.
In summary, England’s performance against South Africa in the Champions Trophy ended in disappointment, with the team scoring only 179 runs. South Africa’s bowlers excelled, restricting England’s batting. This match held considerable significance for Afghanistan, whose hopes for semi-final qualification hinged on the outcome, necessitating a crucial win for England. The intricate scenarios surrounding net run rates further complicated Afghanistan’s path to the next stage of the tournament.
Original Source: dunyanews.tv
