Ben Duckett faced harsh social media backlash following England’s elimination from the Champions Trophy 2025, after Afghanistan’s surprising victory knocked them out of the semi-final race. Duckett had previously dismissed a 3-0 ODI series loss to India, stating he would only care if England defeated India in the final. However, while India triumphed in their matches, England was eliminated with one match remaining. Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran scored 177 runs, and Azmatullah Omarzai took five wickets, leading to England’s loss by eight runs. Joe Root’s 120 runs were in vain, marking England’s second consecutive ODI defeat to Afghanistan.
Ben Duckett in action for England during Champions Trophy 2025© AFP
Ben Duckett, the England batter, faced severe trolling on social media for a previous remark he made about the Indian cricket team following England’s elimination from the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025. On Wednesday, Afghanistan pulled off a stunning victory against England, knocking the Jos Buttler-led side out of the semi-final contention. In the aftermath of the defeat, social media users were quick to bring up Duckett’s past statement where he claimed he wasn’t concerned about the 3-0 ODI series loss to India as long as England could beat the Rohit Sharma-led team in the Champions Trophy final. While India won both matches they played in the tournament, England was eliminated with one match still to go.
During the tour of India, Ben Duckett stated that losing to India in this series was acceptable. “We’ll beat them in the semis of the #ChampionsTrophy.” He noted it would take a remarkable effort against Afghanistan to keep their tournament hopes alive. “We can talk about the semis…”
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 26, 2025
“If we lose 3-0 to India, I don’t care as long as we beat them in the final of the Champions Trophy,” Duckett mentioned prior to the third ODI against India in Ahmedabad.
The aspiration of Ben Duckett
Respect the nation you are touring. As Ravi Shastri remarked, “Take the Subcontinent seriously.” pic.twitter.com/UnpMGByMNK
— Rathin Dutta 𝕏 (@IamRathinDutta) February 27, 2025
“If we do that, we probably won’t look back on this if we achieve our goals in that competition.”
Shame on Afghanistan for shattering Ben Duckett’s dream of defeating India in the final after being whitewashed in the bilateral series.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) February 26, 2025
Opener Ibrahim Zadran’s impressive 177 runs and five wickets by Azmatullah Omarzai propelled Afghanistan to a dramatic eight-run win, eliminating England from the Champions Trophy on Wednesday.
Afghanistan set a score of 325-7 in a must-win match in Lahore and subsequently bowled out England for 317 in 49.5 overs, keeping their semi-final hopes alive while rendering England unable to reach the last four.
Joe Root’s valiant 120 went unrewarded as England consistently lost wickets, marking their second straight ODI defeat to the Afghans after their unexpected loss in the 2023 World Cup in India.
Needing 13 runs off the final six balls with one wicket remaining, pace bowler Omarzai remained composed, conceding only four runs and dismissing Adil Rashid.
(With AFP inputs)
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