AFGHANISTAN VS ENGLAND ICC CHAMPIONS TROPHY 2025
In a nail-biting match at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on February 26, 2025, Afghanistan Vs England’s in ICC Champions Trophy , Afghanistan winning by a eight runs that not only kept their own semi-final hopes alive but knocked out England from the tournament as well. This contest will be remembered for Ibrahim Zadran’s record-breaking innings and Azmatullah Omarzai’s all-round brilliance that together penned a historic moment in Afghan cricket.
AFGHANISTAN VS ENGLAND
Afghanistan: A Record-Breaking Performance in ICC Champion Trophy 2025
Choosing to bat first after the toss, Afghanistan was hit by early turmoil as England’s pace ace, Jofra Archer, caused havoc in the early overs. Archer’s fireball spell took the wickets of Rahmanullah Gurbaz (6), Sediqullah Atal (4), and Rahmat Shah (4), reducing Afghanistan to a fragile 37 for 3 in the first nine overs. Archer’s 3 for 64 was his contribution during this pivotal phase
In the midst of the early meltdown, opener Ibrahim Zadran remained defiant. Showing a mix of composure and belligerence, Zadran engineered a comeback for the ages. He first combined with skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi, scoring 103 runs for the fourth wicket. Shahidi’s patient 40 from 67 deliveries gave the required solidity to the innings to revive it. After Shahidi was dismissed to Adil Rashid’s clever leg-spin, Zadran was joined by a capable partner in Azmatullah Omarzai. Their fifth-wicket stand of 72 put further pressure on Afghanistan.
Zadran’s innings was a masterclass in shot selection and pacing. He reached his hundred off 106 balls, picking up the pace effortlessly, cutting loose with an assortment of shots against the English bowlers. His sixth-wicket stand with Mohammad Nabi produced a swift 111 runs, with Nabi adding a quick 40 off 24 balls. Zadran’s record 177 off 146 balls, with 12 fours and six sixes, not only underpinned Afghanistan’s score of 325 for 7 but also became the new record for the individual highest score in Champions Trophy history after surpassing Ben Duckett’s 165 against Australia days ago.
England’s : A Story of Lost Opportunities
Chasing an imposing target of 326, England’s innings was a carbon copy of Afghanistan’s wobbly beginning.
Sagging wickets of Phil Salt (12) and Jamie Smith (9) had left them reeling at 30 for 2. But the rock of English pushback turned out to be Joe Root. Shining in his characteristic finesse and temperament, Root fashioned an exquisite 120 off 111 balls, which was his 17th century in ODIs and the first since the World Cup of 2019. His 11 boundaries and one six kept England’s hopes alive during the chase. Root formed key partnerships, including a 68-run partnership with Ben Duckett (38) and an 83-run partnership with skipper Jos Buttler (38).
England’s middle and lower order failed under pressure despite these efforts.
Azmatullah Omarzai was Afghanistan’s hero with the ball, taking a crucial five-wicket haul for 58 runs. His dismissal of Root in the 46th over, getting a faint edge to the wicketkeeper, proved to be the turning point and shifted the momentum in Afghanistan’s direction. England’s tail-enders were not able to raise the remaining runs, leading them to get dismissed for 317 in 49.5 overs, eight runs short of making it.
Key Performances and Turning Points
Ibrahim Zadran’s Record-Breaking Knock: Zadran’s 177 is now remembered as the record highest individual score in Champions Trophy history. His capacity to anchor the innings despite early loss of wickets and accelerate when the situation demanded so reflected his maturity and class.
Azmatullah Omarzai’s All-Round Excellence: Scoring a quick 41 off 31 balls with the bat and posting a match-winning bowling return of 5 for 58, Omarzai is an example of the difference a true all-rounder can make. His vital wickets, particularly that of Joe Root, were important in Afghanistan’s triumph.
Joe Root’s Solo Crusade: Root’s 120 kept England in the hunt, but failure of other batsmen to give him adequate support. His fall signaled the collapse of England’s run chase.
Jofra Archer’s Initial Flooding: Archer’s opening spell left Afghanistan reeling, but failure of England bowlers to follow up on the early success ensured that Afghanistan put up a test-worthy total
Implications and Reactions
This loss was England’s second in a row at the tournament, beside which resulted in their elimination and raised questions regarding leadership and strategy. Captain Jos Buttler, speaking after the loss, recognized the team’s failures and called for introspection. He said, “Obviously out of the tournament is really disappointing. I thought we had our chances in the game and was gutted to come out on the wrong side.”
Conclusion:-
Afghanistan’s impressive victory over England in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.It was a defining moment in their cricket journey. Ibrahim Zadran’s record-breaking performance and Azmatullah Omarzai’s all-round brilliance proved Afghanistan’s resilience on the global stage. In addition this win not only kept their semi-final hopes alive but also shockwaves through the cricketing world.
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