England's Champions Trophy campaign ended in disappointment with a seven-wicket defeat to South Africa in Karachi. This match marked the final game for Jos Buttler as captain, and it was a dismal end to his tenure. England, having already been eliminated from the tournament after two previous losses, struggled once again with their batting. They were bowled out for just 179 runs in 38.2 overs, with Joe Root's 37 being the highest score. Buttler managed only 21 runs in his final outing as skipper.
South Africa chased down the target with ease, reaching 181 for 3 in just 29.1 overs. Jofra Archer took two early wickets, but Heinrich Klaasen and Rassie van der Dussen's partnership of 127 runs sealed the victory for South Africa. Klaasen scored 64, while van der Dussen remained unbeaten on 72.
This defeat means England finished at the bottom of their group, having lost all three of their matches. It also marked their seventh consecutive one-day international defeat, a record they haven't experienced in 24 years. The team now faces a long road to recovery, with a break of almost three months before their next fixture, a Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge in May. The resignation of Buttler as captain allows for a fresh start, but the challenges ahead are significant as England looks to rebuild and regain their competitive edge.
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