Zadran’s 177 and Omarzai’s Five-for Crush English Hopes in Lahore
In what will be remembered as one of the most iconic moments in Afghan cricket history, Afghanistan defeated England by 8 runs in a nerve-wracking encounter at the Lahore Stadium. The result not only boosts Afghanistan’s semifinal hopes but also officially knocks England out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
A Fairytale Performance
Ibrahim Zadran played a sensational knock, scoring 177 runs, one of the finest ODI innings by an Afghan batter. Alongside Hashmatullah Shahidi, he anchored the innings after early wickets fell, lifting the team to a massive total of 325/7.
Azmatullah Omarzai then backed it up with a match-winning bowling spell, taking 5/58—the best-ever bowling figures for Afghanistan in an ICC ODI tournament. England, despite Joe Root’s valiant effort, fell short, managing only 317 in their chase.
England’s Downward Spiral Continues
With this loss, England have now lost six consecutive ODIs—their worst streak since 2009. The 2019 World Cup winners continue to struggle in ICC events, having also finished 7th in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Captain Jos Buttler was understandably disappointed, calling the early exit “tough to accept.”
Jos Buttler: “Root played an unbelievable innings, but we needed more support from the top order. Ibrahim’s knock and Azmat’s spell took the game away. We didn’t execute our plans at the end.”
Afghanistan’s Rise Continues
From making their first major ICC appearance to now eliminating one of the game’s giants, Afghanistan continue to redefine what’s possible in international cricket. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi was ecstatic and credited the team’s unity and belief.
Hashmatullah: “We are improving day by day. Zadran’s knock was one of the best I’ve seen. We will take this confidence into our match vs Australia, and play without fear.”
Key Stats from AFG vs ENG
- Highest individual score by an Afghan player in ICC tournaments: Ibrahim Zadran – 177
- Best bowling figures in ICC ODIs by Afghan seamer: Azmatullah Omarzai – 5/58
- Highest aggregate in a Champions Trophy game (3rd all-time): 642 runs (AFG 325/7, ENG 317)
- Closest margin win (by runs) in Champions Trophy: 8 runs
What’s Next?
With England now eliminated, all eyes turn to Afghanistan vs Australia—a virtual semifinal qualifier. The winner will move on to the knockout stage, making it one of the most anticipated fixtures of the tournament.
Stay tuned for more Champions Trophy 2025 updates, live scores, and match insights as the road to the final heats up!
Categories: Cricket, Champions Trophy 2025, Match Reports
Tags: AFG vs ENG 2025, Ibrahim Zadran, Champions Trophy knockout, England exit ICC, Azmatullah Omarzai, cricket stats, Afghanistan cricket history
