Last Updated on February 27, 2025 by Sandeep
Afghanistan knocks England out of the Champions Trophy, setting up a must-win clash against Australia
Lahore [Pakistan], February 27: Afghanistan opener Ibrahim Zadran delivered a record-breaking 177 off 146 balls, the highest individual score in ICC Champions Trophy history, to power Afghanistan to a famous eight-run victory over England at Gaddafi Stadium. His historic innings surpassed Ben Duckett’s 165, setting a new benchmark in the tournament and keeping Afghanistan’s semi-final hopes alive while ending England’s campaign.
Zadran not only became the first Afghan player to score a century in the Champions Trophy, but also the first Afghan batter to register a century in any ICC event. Speaking after the match, he expressed his elation over the victory and his personal milestone.
“That 177 is a special moment for me. I worked hard for this, and I had trust in myself. I wanted to keep batting, play proper cricketing shots, and that worked for me,” Zadran said in the post-match presentation.
Afghanistan’s Tactical Brilliance and Zadran’s Heroics
Winning the toss and electing to bat first, Afghanistan found themselves reeling at 37/3 after England’s pacers struck early. However, Zadran and Hashmatullah Shahidi (40 off 67) stitched a crucial 103-run stand to steady the innings.
As Afghanistan reached the 200-run mark in 37.2 overs, Zadran continued his dominance, forging another 72-run partnership with Azmatullah Omarzai (41 off 31). The final boost came when Mohammad Nabi (40 off 21) provided late fireworks, propelling Afghanistan to 325/7 in 50 overs.
Despite a strong response from Joe Root (120 off 111), England fell short by just eight runs, with Azmatullah Omarzai starring with the ball, taking 5/58 in a match-winning spell.
“We have played here before in the Asia Cup, so I had an idea of the conditions. I wanted to take my time and play proper cricketing shots, and that worked,” Zadran added.
Skipper Shahidi: “Our Nation Will Be Happy With This Win”
Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi praised his team’s resilience, highlighting Zadran’s match-defining knock and Omarzai’s all-round performance.
“As a team, we are happy. Our nation will be happy with this win. We are improving day by day, and today was a tense game, but we controlled it well. Zadran played one of the best ODI knocks I have ever seen,” Shahidi said.
He also credited Omarzai for his crucial contributions with both bat and ball.
“Azmat played a brilliant knock with positive intent and bowled crucial overs. We have talented youngsters and experienced players, and everyone is playing their role perfectly,” he added.
All Eyes on the Do-or-Die Clash Against Australia
With England out of the tournament, Afghanistan now faces a must-win clash against Australia to secure a place in the semi-finals. Zadran believes the victory over England will provide the confidence needed for their next big test.
“Winning a game like this gives you a lot of energy. We will try to play even better in the next match. The Australia game will decide who goes to the semis, and we will give our best,” Zadran stated.
With this monumental win, Afghanistan has once again proven their growing stature in world cricket. They now prepare to face Australia in a high-stakes battle, with a semi-final spot on the line.
