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Afghanistan Stuns England in Thrilling Champions Trophy Clash

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On February 26, 2025, the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore witnessed a pulsating encounter in the ICC Champions Trophy as Afghanistan pulled off a sensational 8-run victory over England in a must-win Group B match. With both teams desperate to keep their semifinal hopes alive, the game delivered high drama, individual brilliance, and a result that reverberated through the cricketing world, knocking England out of the tournament.

Afghanistan Sets the Stage with Zadran’s Record-Breaking Knock

The match began with Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi winning the toss and electing to bat first on a surface known for favoring high scores. England, coming off a disheartening loss to Australia where they failed to defend 351, made one change to their lineup, bringing in Jamie Overton for the injured Brydon Carse. Afghanistan, meanwhile, stuck with their unchanged XI, banking on their spin-heavy attack and emerging batting talent.
 
The Afghan innings got off to a shaky start, stumbling to 39/3 in the powerplay as England’s pace trio of Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, and Overton struck early. However, opener Ibrahim Zadran stood firm amidst the chaos, anchoring the innings with a blend of grit and flair.
 
Zadran’s monumental 177 off 146 balls—a knock studded with elegant drives and calculated aggression—etched his name into the Champions Trophy record books as the highest individual score in the tournament’s history. Supported by vital contributions from Shahidi (40), Azmatullah Omarzai (41), and Mohammad Nabi (40), Afghanistan posted a formidable 325/7 in their 50 overs.
 
England’s bowlers, particularly Adil Rashid and Liam Livingstone, struggled to contain the late onslaught, with the Afghan total looking imposing on a pitch that had already seen Australia chase 352 with ease earlier in the tournament.

England’s Chase: Root’s Heroics in Vain

Chasing 326, England needed a strong start, but Afghanistan’s bowlers had other plans. Mohammad Nabi struck early, removing Phil Salt, while Omarzai dismissed Ben Duckett (38) to leave England at 60/2 after 10 overs. Joe Root, the backbone of England’s batting, walked in with a point to prove, and he delivered with a masterful 120—his 17th ODI century and first in nearly five years in the format. Root’s innings was a blend of classic shot-making and resilience, notably featuring a audacious Dilscoop for six that showcased his adaptability under pressure.
 
Harry Brook (25) and captain Jos Buttler (38) provided brief support, but Afghanistan’s spinners—Rashid Khan, Nabi, and Noor Ahmad—kept the pressure on. The turning point came when Omarzai returned to dismiss Buttler and later Brook, tilting the game back in Afghanistan’s favor. With Root cramping up but still fighting, England reached 268/6 after 44 overs, needing 58 runs off the last six. Jamie Overton’s quickfire 32, including consecutive boundaries off Fazalhaq Farooqi, kept hopes alive, but the task remained daunting.

Omarzai’s Five-For Seals the Deal

The climax was nothing short of cinematic. With 13 runs needed off the final over, Omarzai stepped up as Afghanistan’s hero. He bowled with precision and nerve, dismissing Jofra Archer (caught by Nabi) and Adil Rashid (caught by Zadran at long-off) in quick succession. Mark Wood, hampered by a failing knee, could only manage singles, and England finished agonizingly short at 317 all out. Omarzai’s figures of 5/58 earned him a well-deserved five-wicket haul, capping a match-defining all-round performance.

Key Moments and Implications

Ibrahim Zadran’s 177 not only set the tone but also earned him the Player of the Match award. His composure and ability to accelerate when it mattered turned the game in Afghanistan’s favor. For England, Root’s century was a bittersweet highlight in an otherwise faltering campaign, with their bowling once again exposed and their batting unable to finish the job. The loss marked England’s fifth consecutive ODI defeat, extending their worst run since 2009, and confirmed their elimination from the Champions Trophy.
 
For Afghanistan, the victory kept their semifinal dreams alive, though they face a tough road ahead with Australia and South Africa still to come in Group B. The win was a testament to their growing stature in world cricket, echoing their upset over England in the 2023 ODI World Cup.

What’s Next?

As England lick their wounds and reflect on a disappointing tournament, questions will inevitably arise about Buttler’s captaincy and the team’s white-ball strategy. Afghanistan, meanwhile, will take immense confidence into their next clash against Australia on February 28 in Lahore, knowing they can compete with the best. For now, the cricketing world celebrates a classic 50-over contest that showcased why the format remains a thrilling spectacle.
 
In Lahore, on this day, Afghanistan didn’t just win a match—they announced their arrival as a force to be reckoned with.
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