By Afghanistan Stuns England as Ibrahim Zadran and Azmatullah Omarzai Shine in Champions Trophy Thriller
NEW DELHI: Ibrahim Zadran spectacular performance by , who smashed an incredible 177 runs, coupled with Azmatullah Omarzai’s brilliant five-wicket haul, led Afghanistan to a thrilling eight-run victory over England on Wednesday, ultimately knocking them out of the Champions Trophy.
In a high-stakes match held in Lahore, Afghanistan set a formidable target of 325/7 before bowling out England for 317 in 49.5 overs. This crucial win not only ended England’s journey in the tournament but also kept Afghanistan’s semi-final aspirations alive.
Despite Joe Root’s resilient knock of 120 runs, England endured their second successive One Day International (ODI) loss against Afghanistan, following their unexpected defeat in the 2023 World Cup in India.
The final moments of the game were filled with intense drama, as England needed 13 runs in the last over with just one wicket remaining. Displaying remarkable composure, Omarzai conceded only four runs and dismissed Adil Rashid, sealing Afghanistan’s historic win.
Afghanistan’s Strong Comeback
Amid the backdrop of ongoing political discussions in Britain regarding Afghanistan’s governance under Taliban rule, the Afghan team opted to bat first, aiming to recover from their earlier loss to South Africa.
The 23-year-old Zadran showcased an extraordinary batting performance, surpassing his previous ODI best of 162 runs. His 146-ball innings was laced with 12 boundaries and six sixes, setting a new benchmark for Afghanistan’s highest individual ODI score. Additionally, he broke a tournament record, overshadowing Ben Duckett’s 165 against Australia in England’s opening loss.
Afghanistan had a rocky start, losing three wickets for just 37 runs in the first nine overs. However, Zadran anchored the innings with a crucial 103-run stand alongside captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, who contributed a steady 40 runs. Following that, he forged another valuable 111-run partnership with Mohammad Nabi, who played a quick-fire knock of 40 off 24 balls.
“It was one of the finest ODI innings I have ever witnessed,” remarked Shahidi.
England’s Struggles in the Chase
England’s chase started on a shaky note as Mohammad Nabi struck early, dismissing Jamie Smith for just nine runs, leaving them reeling at 30/2. Duckett and Root then attempted to rebuild the innings with a solid 68-run partnership, but Rashid Khan trapped Duckett LBW for 38, putting England under pressure once again.
Harry Brook looked promising before he fell for 25, offering a return catch to Nabi, further weakening England’s position. Root remained composed at the crease, forging an 83-run stand with Jos Buttler, who struck two massive sixes to keep England in the game. However, Afghanistan’s disciplined bowling attack, filled with tight lines and dot balls, proved decisive. Omarzai broke the crucial partnership by dismissing Buttler for 38, caught at deep square-leg, before sending Liam Livingstone back to the pavilion shortly after.
Root continued his stellar knock, registering his first ODI century in nearly five years. His valiant effort, supported by Jamie Overton, kept England’s hopes alive, but Omarzai had the final say. He dismissed Root with a crucial delivery, caught behind, turning the game firmly in Afghanistan’s favor.
“He played an exceptional innings tonight, managing pressure beautifully in the chase,” said Buttler post-match. “But he needed another top-order batsman to stay with him and take the game deeper.”
Afghanistan’s dominance persisted as Omarzai also removed Overton, leaving England with minimal chances of recovery. Jofra Archer put up a last-minute fight, but England’s fate was sealed as they bowed out of the eight-team tournament. Their exit followed earlier eliminations of Pakistan and Bangladesh, marking a significant moment in Afghanistan’s cricketing history.
With this victory, Afghanistan continues to assert itself as a rising force in world cricket, proving that they are no longer underdogs but strong contenders for the Champions Trophy semi-finals.
