source : ICC
In a thrilling encounter at Lahore, Eng vs Afg -Afghanistan scripted a historic win against England, defeating the former champions by 8 runs and keeping their semi-final hopes alive in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. It was a match packed with high-octane drama, where Afghanistan’s resilience and England’s familiar struggle against quality spin took center stage. Despite Joe Root’s magnificent century, England fell just short, marking a bitter end to their campaign Eng vs Afg.
The day belonged to Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran, who registered the highest individual score in Champions Trophy history — a blazing 177 off 146 balls. Zadran’s innings, peppered with 12 boundaries and 6 sixes, propelled Afghanistan to a competitive 325/7 in 50 overs. He found support from captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (40) and Azmatullah Omarzai (41), building crucial partnerships that kept the scoreboard ticking despite Jofra Archer’s fiery spell (3/64) in the powerplay.
Azmatullah Omarzai also shone with the ball, delivering a masterclass by claiming a crucial five-wicket haul (5/58). His golden arm proved vital in breaking England’s momentum, dismissing key batters like Joe Root (120) and skipper Jos Buttler (38). Root’s 17th ODI century gave England a glimmer of hope, but with wickets tumbling at regular intervals, their chase of 326 never truly settled.
England’s struggle against spin was once again laid bare as Rashid Khan, though wicketless in their previous match, played a pivotal role by breaking the 68-run stand between Ben Duckett (38) and Root. Mohammad Nabi further dented England’s chase by removing Jamie Smith for 9, while Harry Brook fell victim to spin yet again, dismissed for 25. Eng vs Afg.
This victory not only showcased Afghanistan’s cricketing grit but also highlighted England’s ongoing woes with their high-risk approach under coach Brendon McCullum. While the “Bazball” philosophy has revolutionized their Test cricket, its ODI counterpart seems to be faltering, with England suffering five consecutive ODI losses, raising questions about their adaptability in crucial tournaments.
Afghanistan’s win was more than just about cricket; it was a moment of pride and joy for a nation battling off-field struggles. Coach Jonathan Trott praised his players’ bravery, while captain Hashmatullah Shahidi emphasized their focus on delivering performances on the field. With this spirited victory, Afghanistan marches ahead in the Champions Trophy, proving once again that they are a force to be reckoned with on the global stage.
