Afghanistan knocked England out of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy with a stunning win at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Ibrahim Zadran scored a record 177 runs, supported by Azmatullah Omarzai’s five wickets. England’s total of 317 was not enough to chase down the target of 325 set by Afghanistan, marking a significant milestone for the team and their ODI history against England.
In a stunning match at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on February 26, Afghanistan defeated England in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, effectively knocking them out of the tournament. Afghanistan set a formidable total of 325, supported by Ibrahim Zadran’s remarkable 177 runs off 146 balls. Azmatullah Omarzai contributed significantly with his fifer, ensuring England managed only 317 runs in their chase.
The match began with Afghanistan struggling at 37/3 after choosing to bat. However, Zadran and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi combined for a crucial partnership that stabilized the innings, leading to Afghanistan’s highest total recorded in the Champions Trophy. Zadran’s score made him the first Afghan to achieve a century in this tournament.
This victory marked Afghanistan’s second One Day International (ODI) win against England, following up on their previous triumph in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Over four meetings, England previously won three times, creating a significant upset for Afghanistan this time around.
Ibrahim Zadran’s score of 177 is now the highest individual score in Champions Trophy history, surpassing Ben Duckett’s recent 165. Notably, Zadran’s accomplishment of reaching six ODI centuries now places him joint second for Afghanistan.
Moreover, Zadran’s performance surpassed his own previous record of 162 runs, establishing a new highest score for Afghanistan in ODIs. Notably, this achievement contributes to his growing reputation in the team’s history.
For England, bowler Jofra Archer stood out with a three-wicket haul, becoming the fastest player to reach 50 ODI wickets for the country in just 30 matches. Despite England’s loss, Philip Salt and Ben Duckett’s performances were commendable, with Duckett achieving a milestone of 1,000 ODI runs.
Joe Root’s 120 runs constituted his 17th ODI century and his first since June 2019. His resilience helped England recover from early wickets but was ultimately insufficient for victory. Root becomes only the second England player to have multiple centuries in the Champions Trophy, alongside Marcus Trescothick.
As a result of this match, England’s chances of progressing in the 2025 Champions Trophy are extinguished, having previously lost to Australia. Meanwhile, Afghanistan remains in contention alongside South Africa and Australia for a semi-final slot from Group B.
Afghanistan’s historic win over England in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy marks a significant achievement for the team, highlighted by Ibrahim Zadran’s record-breaking performance and Azmatullah Omarzai’s impactful bowling. The match not only led to England’s elimination from the tournament but also emphasized Afghanistan’s growing strength in international cricket. As they aim for advancement in the tournament, this win underscores Afghanistan’s potential and resilience. With individual records smashed and collective accomplishments achieved, the trajectory for Afghan cricket appears promising.
Original Source: www.newsbytesapp.com
