Proteas have one foot in Champions Trophy semis after Afghanistan beat England

The result means England have been eliminated from the tournament while the Proteas still top Group B on three points after two matches, the same number as Australia.

Even if Temba Bavuma's charges lose in their final group game against England their net-rate should still be enough to reach the last four after a big victory over Afghanistan in their opening match.

England and Afghanistan came into the contest on Wednesday knowing a loss would mean elimination and Afghan opener Ibrahim Zadran stepped up for his team with a magnificent 177 off 146 balls as his team posted a total of 325-7.

The right-handed batter hit 12 fours and six sixes and received good support in the middle-order from Azmatullah Omarzai (41), Hashmatullah Shahidi (40) and Mohammad Nabi (40).

Jofra Archer took an early three wickets for England and finished with figures of 3-64 while spinner Liam Livingstone took 2-28.

Joe Root was at his best with the bat in the run-chase, carving out 120 from 111 balls but lost his wicket with 39 runs still needed but they eventually 317 all out.

Omarzai completed a brilliant individual match as the seamer picked up wickets at regular intervals to finish with figures of 5-58 and seal victory for his country.

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