Following England’s elimination from the 2025 Champions Trophy, England batter Ben Duckett came under severe criticism on social media after his earlier remarks about the Indian cricket team resurfaced. On Wednesday, Afghanistan astonishingly defeated England, thereby eliminating the defending champions from the semi-final run.
Ben Duckett, during the tour of India, said that it’s absolutely fine to lose vs India in this series. We shall beat them in the semis of the #ChampionsTrophy.
It’ll take a special effort today against Afghanistan to stay alive in the tournament. We can talk about the semis a…— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 26, 2025
Social media users were fast to remind Duckett of his earlier comment dismissing England’s 3-0 ODI series defeat against India earlier this year and claiming it would not matter whether they could beat India in the final of the Champions Trophy. India has nonetheless won both of their group-stage games to date, England crashed out of the competition with one game yet to go.
Old Comment Re-appears of Ben Duckett
Duckett previously said in his comment that “If we lose 3-0 to India, I don’t care as long as we beat them in the final of the Champions Trophy. If we do that, we probably won’t look back on this if we do the business in that competition.”
The dream of Ben Duckett ?
Respect the nation where you are touring. As Ravi Shastri said- Take Subcontinent seriously. pic.twitter.com/UnpMGByMNK
— Rathin Dutta ? (@IamRathinDutta) February 27, 2025
With England now out of the tournament, fans blasted Duckett’s arrogance on social media with memes and commentary. The historical victory of Afghanistan confirms the destiny of England.
Shame on Afghanistan for ruining Ben Duckett’s dream of defeating India in the final after being whitewashed in bilateral series.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) February 26, 2025
Afghanistan’s outstanding performance in a elimination match in Lahore earned them an eight-run victory over England. Afghanistan got a strong 325/7 thanks to opener Ibrahim Zadran’s brilliant 177 and five wickets of Azmatullah Omarzai.
Though Joe Root scored a battling 120, England stumbled under pressure, losing steady wickets and finally getting knocked out for 317 in 49.5 overs. Following their surprise victory in the 2023 World Cup in India, this marked Afghanistan’s second straight one-day international defeat of England.
Omarzai kept his nerve in the last over to allow just four runs and dismiss Adil Rashid, thereby confirming the early England withdrawal from the competition with only one wicket to spare and England needing 13 runs.
