Defending champions India lost by 69 runs, their second defeat in three games, putting their hopes of qualifying from the group stage at risk.

To progress, England will need to win five of six games against India, unbeaten South Africa, Pakistan and Australia.

“We must maintain that belief,” he said.

It is a big setback. Before the tournament started you had a different idea of how the first three games would play out.

We have to show character, resilience, and most importantly belief. We have a lot of excellent players.

With Afghanistan’s openers putting on 114 for the first wicket in 16.4 overs, England were quickly put under pressure by Rahmanullah Gubraz’s destructive batting.

However, despite a mid-innings rally that restricted Afghanistan to 284, a series of tame dismissals soon put Buttler’s side under pressure, despite spinners Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi impressing.

Buttler said, “They outplayed us today.”.

Throughout the game, we were not at the level we wanted to be consistently enough.

“You have to impose yourself on the game and execute your skill.”