England suffered another defeat in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, collapsing to 179 runs against South Africa. Despite minor contributions from Joe Root and Jofra Archer, South African bowlers Macro Jansen and Wlaan Mulder dominated with three wickets each. The match outcome significantly affected Afghanistan’s semi-final qualification hopes, requiring England to win by a large margin for the Afghans to advance.

In the ongoing 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, England faced another disappointing defeat, collapsing to 179 runs against South Africa. Joe Root and Jofra Archer contributed modestly to England’s total, but the team’s performance fell short of expectations. Macro Jansen and Wlaan Mulder led the South African bowling attack, each taking three wickets and decisively impacting the outcome of the match.

England captain Jos Buttler won the toss and chose to bat, attempting to salvage some pride in their final encounter of the tournament. The English squad included a notable change, with Saqib Mahmood replacing Mark Wood. Meanwhile, South Africa, missing their captain Temba Bavuma due to illness, had Aiden Markram at the helm, with Tristan Stubbs and Henrich Klaasen filling in for Tony Dezori and Bavuma.

The match held significant implications for Afghanistan, whose chances of reaching the semi-finals depended on the result. With the previous day’s match between Afghanistan and Australia being washed out, the stakes were high. For Afghanistan to progress, England needed to achieve a comprehensive victory over South Africa, ideally by a margin that would significantly impact South Africa’s net run rate.

To qualify, England must set a target of 301 runs and win by at least 207 runs, a scenario deemed highly improbable yet Afghanistan’s only glimmer of hope remains in such a result. The match, therefore, was closely observed not only by cricket fans but particularly by Afghan supporters hoping for a route to the semi-finals.

In summary, England suffered a severe defeat against South Africa in the Champions Trophy, scoring only 179 runs with limited contributions from key players. The match was critical for Afghanistan, as their qualification for the semi-finals hinged on an unlikely English victory by a significant margin over South Africa. While the outcome illustrated England’s continuing struggles, it also underscored the competitive dynamics within the tournament.

Original Source: dunyanews.tv