LAHORE, PAKISTAN — Afghanistan stunned England by eight runs at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, knocking the defending champions out of the ICC Champions Trophy and setting up a must-win clash against Australia in Group B.
Batting first, Afghanistan posted a formidable 325 for 7 in their 50 overs, buoyed by an extraordinary innings from opener Ibrahim Zadran. Zadran smashed a record-breaking 177 off 146 balls—comprising 12 fours and six sixes—to eclipse the previous Champions Trophy benchmark. “I wanted to bat longer and longer. That 177 is a special moment for me,” he said during the post-match presentation, encapsulating the emotion behind his milestone knock.
Afghanistan’s innings got off to a rocky start as early wickets fell and the team was reduced to 39 for 3 in the powerplay. However, a crucial 103-run partnership between Zadran and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi helped steady the ship. Shahidi, who contributed 40 runs, emphasized the team effort and added, “I know the whole nation will be happy and hopefully we take this momentum with us for the next game against Australia.” In addition, all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai made a significant impact with both bat and ball, scoring 41 off 31 deliveries before claiming five wickets for 58 runs.
Chasing a daunting target of 326, England began confidently with a resilient performance from Joe Root. His composed 120 from 111 balls, studded with 11 boundaries, kept England in contention for a long time. Yet, early collapses—marked by the dismissals of openers Phil Salt and Jamie Smith—left England vulnerable. As the pressure mounted, Afghanistan’s bowlers chipped away at the batting order. Omarzai’s breakthrough, dismissing Root in the 46th over, proved pivotal as consecutive wickets forced England to crumple, eventually lining up at 317 in 49.5 overs.
The collapse has intensified debate about England’s struggles in limited-overs cricket. Captain Jos Buttler, who witnessed the team’s disintegration, remarked cautiously after the match, “I don’t want to say any emotional statements right now. For myself and the guys at the top, we should consider all possibilities.” Buttler’s comments have added fuel to discussions regarding England’s strategy and captaincy as they face repeated setbacks in ICC tournaments.
This defeat builds on England’s recent woes, following their loss to Australia earlier in the competition. In contrast, Afghanistan’s victory marks a significant turnaround, highlighting their rapid improvement on the international stage. The win is historically important for Afghanistan—not only did it end England’s campaign, but it also demonstrated that the young side can compete with cricket’s traditional powerhouses.
The result carries critical implications for the semi-final race in Group B. With Australia and South Africa both sitting on three points, Afghanistan currently holds two points and a negative net run rate. Their next match, a do-or-die clash against Australia scheduled for Friday, will be decisive. A win will secure Afghanistan a semi-final berth, while a loss—coupled with favorable results for their rivals—could spell elimination.
Social media erupted with praise for Afghanistan’s performance. Cricket fans on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) lauded the side’s transformation, with one fan tweeting, “Afghanistan has grown leaps and bounds in such a short time—this performance shows they are the new force in white-ball cricket.” Pundits also noted that Afghanistan’s victory against England, mirroring their earlier upset in the 2023 ODI World Cup, signals a historic shift in the competitive landscape.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes are now on Botswana’s next challenge against Australia. With a blend of record-setting batting and incisive bowling, Afghanistan’s win reshapes the narrative of the Champions Trophy, underlining the evolving dynamics in international cricket.
