Inside England’s Champions Trophy disaster: How a lack of tension and too many ‘what-ifs’ saw Jos Buttler & Co crash out in Pakistan

Jos Buttler's side crashed out of the Champions Trophy in rapid time, leading to his resignation

The man with the most to ponder while sifting through the wreckage of England’s Champions Trophy campaign has already fled the scene. Rob Key, England’s managing director of men’s cricket, was on a flight home within five hours of Afghanistan’s eight-run victory earlier this week. The 45-year-old’s departure was in keeping with his schedule and … Read more

Why Brendon McCullum’s express-pace Ashes plan is in danger of hitting the buffers, writes LAWRENCE BOOTH

England were eliminated from the ICC Champions Trophy after losing to Afghanistan this week

Mark Wood hurt his left knee during England’s defeat by Afghanistan this week Ben Stokes missed the ICC Champions Trophy following hamstring surgery By LAWRENCE BOOTH Published: 18:21 EST, 28 February 2025 | Updated: 18:42 EST, 28 February 2025 The sight of Mark Wood flexing his left knee during the chastening defeat by Afghanistan was not just … Read more

Afghanistan vs Australia Highlights, Champions Trophy 2025: Australia Enter Semi-Finals After Match Gets Washed Out

AFG v AUS Highlights, Champions Trophy 2025© AFP Afghanistan vs Australia Highlights, Champions Trophy 2025: Australia made it to the semi-finals of Champions Trophy 2025 after their last Group B match against Afghanistan in Lahore got washed out on Friday. It started raining during Australia’s chase and by the time it stopped, the … Read more

Why England’s Ashes pace plan risks falling flat on its face after chastening Champions Trophy campaign, writes LAWRENCE BOOTH

The sight of Mark Wood flexing his left knee sent tremors beyond England's Champions Trophy campaign

The sight of Mark Wood flexing his left knee during England’s chastening defeat by Afghanistan in Lahore on Wednesday wasn’t just bad news for their Champions Trophy hopes. It was a reminder that Ben Stokes’s plans to hit Australia with express pace this winter remains delicately poised between reality and fantasy. And fantasy currently has … Read more

Exciting to play in different conditions: New Zealand spinner Michael Bracewell | Cricket News

Exciting to play in different conditions: New Zealand spinner Michael Bracewell

Michael Bracewell (PTI photo) DUBAI: On the cusp of playing his landmark 300th ODI when he turns out for India against New Zealand in the final league match of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy on Sunday, ‘King’ Kohli received huge praise from New Zealand of-spinning allrounder Michael Bracewell, who has seen the veteran batsman from … Read more

England’s Champions Trophy exit underlines regression of ‘one-dimensional’ side, say Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton | Cricket News

England Cricket
ICC Champions Trophy

Brendon McCullum “has got his hands full” with England following his team’s disappointing Champions Trophy exit against Afghanistan, believes Michael Atherton. England suffered an eight-run defeat to Afghanistan on Wednesday as they fell short of a target of 326 to win, despite Joe Root’s stylish 120 from 11 deliveries in Lahore. Opener Ibrahim Zadran starred … Read more

Pakistan vs Bangladesh LIVE Scorecard Updates | Champions Trophy 2025: Toss Delayed After ‘Cats And Dogs’ Rain, Next Inspection At…

PAK v BAN Live Scorecard Updates, Champions Trophy 2025© X/iamAhmadhaseeb Pakistan vs Bangladesh LIVE Updates, Champions Trophy 2025: Toss was delayed at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium with rain playing spoilsport once more. Hosts Pakistan are hoping to cap off a dismal Champions Trophy 2025 with a win as they take on Bangladesh in … Read more

England crash OUT of the Champions Trophy after dramatic eight-run defeat by Afghanistan with Joe Root century in vain

Afghanistan held their nerve to beat England by eight runs in Lahore on Wednesday

During the latest calamitous performance of Jos Buttler’s reign as England captain it was hard to know whether to laugh or cry. ‘Buttler Brigade: charging towards glory,’ read a female fan’s homemade sign in the Gaddafi Stadium crowd. They do gallows humour rather well here in Pakistan. For the only thing England were charging to, … Read more

Babar Azam: The fading king of Pakistan cricket | Cricket News

Babar Azam: The fading king of Pakistan cricket

DUBAI: A major reason why Pakistan are floundering in the ICC tournaments in recent years, and are being beaten by arch-rivals India consistently, is the steady decline of Babar Azam, once their premier batter.Having made his debut against Zimbabwe in Lahore in May 2015, Babar, then just 22, announced his fine talent to the world … Read more

Jos Buttler: England white-ball captain asks if he’s part of the problem or the solution after Champions Trophy exit | Cricket News

England Cricket
ICC Champions Trophy

England white-ball captain Jos Buttler is considering whether he is “part of the problem or part of the solution” after his side crashed out of the Champions Trophy at the hands of Afghanistan. England’s miserable white-ball winter reached its lowest ebb as they were eliminated following a nerve-shredding eight-run defeat to Afghanistan in Lahore. Defeat … Read more