Lahore, Pakistan: In a dramatic showdown at Lahore, Afghanistan pulled off a thrilling eight-run victory over England on Wednesday, eliminating the latter from the Champions Trophy. Afghanistan’s performance kept their semifinal hopes alive while sending England crashing out of the tournament.
Zadran’s Career-Best 177 Anchors Afghanistan’s Total
Afghanistan’s innings were anchored by a brilliant 177 from Ibrahim Zadran, who surpassed his own ODI record of 162 runs. The 23-year-old’s 146-ball knock included 12 boundaries and six sixes, propelling Afghanistan to a total of 325-7. Zadran’s superb performance came after Afghanistan had been struggling at 37-3, with three early wickets falling within nine overs.
The innings saw Zadran combine in crucial partnerships. First, he shared a 103-run stand with captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (40), before joining forces with Mohammad Nabi for a quick 111-run partnership, with Nabi scoring a blistering 40 off 24 balls. Zadran’s innings not only set a new personal record but also broke a tournament record, surpassing Ben Duckett’s 165 from England’s loss to Australia earlier in the competition.
England’s Fight Led by Root
In response, England struggled early on, losing Jamie Smith for just nine to Mohammad Nabi’s first delivery. Despite this, Joe Root’s outstanding century of 120 runs anchored England’s chase. His partnership with Ben Duckett (38) helped steady the ship, and a brief but promising effort from Harry Brook (25) also kept England in the hunt.
However, Afghanistan’s bowlers, led by Azmatullah Omarzai, kept the pressure mounting. Omarzai’s five-wicket haul was a game-changer, dismissing key players such as Jos Buttler (38) and Liam Livingstone. Root continued to fight valiantly, reaching his first ODI century in nearly five years. But as the chase became more desperate, England faltered.
The Final Over Drama
With England needing 13 runs from the final over and just one wicket in hand, the game reached a nerve-wracking climax. Omarzai, who had already taken key wickets, showed remarkable composure under pressure. He bowled a tight final over, conceding only four runs and claiming the crucial wicket of Adil Rashid. England’s hopes were dashed as they finished at 317 in 49.5 overs, eight runs short of Afghanistan’s total.
Afghanistan’s Resilience and England’s Exit
Afghanistan’s victory marked their second consecutive ODI win over England, following a surprising triumph in the 2023 World Cup. The win was especially significant considering Afghanistan had faced political challenges back home, including concerns over women’s rights under the Taliban regime. Still, their players delivered on the big stage, sending a strong message with this hard-fought win.
After securing a critical victory, Afghanistan now looks ahead to the next phase of the Champions Trophy, with their hopes for the semifinals still alive. In contrast, England’s campaign ended in heartbreak, as they were knocked out after a string of disappointing results, including losses to Pakistan and Bangladesh earlier in the tournament.
Looking Forward
As Afghanistan celebrates a historic win, England reflects on their exit from the tournament. Afghanistan’s resilient spirit and clinical performance, particularly from Zadran and Omarzai, will surely be remembered as one of the tournament’s most remarkable moments. With their semifinal hopes intact, Afghanistan will now look to build on this momentum as the competition heats up.
Will Afghanistan continue their winning streak, or can another team challenge their dominance? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
