In a thrilling encounter on Wednesday (February 26, 2025), Afghanistan stunned England with an 8-run victory in the ICC Champions Trophy, knocking the 2019 ODI World Cup champions out of the tournament. The match, held at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, showcased Afghanistan’s growing prowess in international cricket and kept their semifinal hopes alive in Group B.
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| Image Credits: ESPN Cricinfo |
Batting first after winning the toss, Afghanistan faced early setbacks, slipping to 37 for 3. However, opener Ibrahim Zadran turned the tide with a monumental 177 off 146 balls— the highest individual score in Champions Trophy history. His knock, laced with 12 fours and six sixes, powered Afghanistan to a formidable 325 for 7. Partnerships with Hashmatullah Shahidi (103 for 4th wicket) and Mohammad Nabi (111 for the 6th wicket) bolstered their total, setting England a daunting target.
England’s chase began shakily, with Phil Salt and Jamie Smith falling early. Joe Root, however, anchored the innings with a valiant 120 off 111 balls—his first ODI century since 2019. Despite an 83-run stand with captain Jos Buttler (38), wickets tumbled at crucial moments. Azmatullah Omarzai emerged as the hero for Afghanistan, claiming a sensational five-wicket haul (5 for 58), including the scalps of Root and Adil Rashid on the penultimate ball. England finished at 317, agonizingly short of the target by 8 runs.
This historic win, Afghanistan’s second over England in a major 50-over ICC event, sparked wild celebrations in Lahore. With England eliminated, Afghanistan now faces Australia on February 28, aiming to secure a semifinal spot in a fiercely contested group.
Brief Scores: Afghanistan - 325/7 in 50 overs (Ibrahim Zadran - 177, Jofra Archer - 3/64) defeated England - 317 all out in 49.5 overs (Joe Root - 120, Azmatullah Omarzai - 5/58) by a margin of 8 runs
