As Hashmatullah Shahidi, Afghanistan’s captain, speaks to the media on the eve of his country’s Champions Trophy match against England he chooses his words very carefully, aware that the Taliban are watching.

Tournament debutants Afghanistan sent England packing from the Champions Trophy after opener Ibrahim Zadran's epic 177 set up their narrow eight-run victory in a Group B thriller on Wednesday. Zadran produced the highest score in the tournament's history to help Afghanistan overcome Jofra Archer's three early wickets and rack up 325-7.

England has been eliminated from the Champions Trophy after defeat by Afghanistan. English cricket has lost the art of winning ODIs.