ENG vs AFG, Champions Trophy: Root finally ends 5-year ODI century drought in England's must-win match (WATCH)

England talismanic batter Joe Root has finally ended his long ODI century drought during the Champions Trophy 2025 Group B match against Afghanistan at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday, February 27. 

Joe Root walked out to bat when England were 30/2 and led the team’s batting in their massive 325-run chase set by Afghanistan. The pressure was on England's star batter to step up and perform for the team as the top-order collapsed early. Despite the pressure of chasing down a hefty chase, Root looked calm and composed as he anchored England's batting beautifully while bringing up his much-awaited ODI century. 

Also read: ENG vs AFG, Champions Trophy 2025: Zadran becomes 1st Afghanistan batter to achieve THIS feat with a century

The last time Joe Root scored an ODI century was in 2019 against West Indies, scoring unbeaten match-winning 100 to help England chase down 213-run target in 33.1 overs. Since then, the 34-year-old failed to score a century as he registered only seven fifties in 36 ODI matches. After a long gap of almost five years, Root has finally put an end to his century drought in the shorter format of the game at international level. The Yorkshire completed his 17th ODI century when walks into a full delivery off Rashid Khan and clipped the ball wide of the man at fine short leg for a single. 

As soon as Joe Root completed his century, England teammates gave a standing ovation from the dressing room as he scored an elusive century at a time when The Three Lions are not looking to chase down the target but also stay alive in the tournament with a crucial win in this must-win encounter. The video of Joe Root ending his century drought was ICC on its Instagram handle. 

Watch: Joe Root’s ODI century after almost five years 

However, Joe Root’s stay at the crease came to an end after he was dismissed for 120 off 111 balls by Azmatullah Omarzai at 287/7. Root’s century knock came after he scored 68 off 78 balls in England’s opening match of their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against Australia at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. 

Joe Root returned to ODI cricket after a gap of over a year in the three-match series against India. The former England had a moderate series, amassing 112 runs, including a fifty, at an average of 37.33 in three matches. There were concerns about his form, given his performance in the ODI series against India. However, Joe Root has silenced his critics with a century in a challenging situation for England. 

Joe Root’s century went in vain as England knocked out of Champions Trophy

Root’s dismissal had put a brake on England’s momentum to chase down the target. After Joe Root’s dismissal, Jamie Overton led England's batting by playing an innings of 32 off 28 balls before he was removed by Azmatullah Omarzai at 309/8. This further dashed The Three Lions hopes of not only winning the match but also staying alive in the tournament with a crucial win. 

When England required 16 runs off 13 balls to win the match, Jofra Archer was joined by Adil Rashid at the crease. However, Fazalhaq Farooqui managed to get rid of Archer for 14 at 313/9. Archer was looking in a mood to somehow help England chase down the 326-run target. Eventually, England were bundled out for 317 on the second last ball of the final over, falling short of the target. 

With this defeat, England have been officially knocked out of the tournament. Joe Buttler-led side lost their opening match of the Champions Trophy against rivals Australia by five wickets in Lahore. Apart from England’s defeat, Joe Root’s fighting century, which gave the side’s hopes of winning the match, went in vain.

Also read: Champions Trophy 2025: Fakhar Zaman shuts down rumours on his retirement from ODI cricket (WATCH)