Afghanistan Knocks England Out Of Champions Trophy Semi Final Race
LAHORE: A sensational 177-run knock by Ibrahim Zadran, coupled with a five-wicket haul from Azmatullah Omarzai, propelled Afghanistan to a thrilling eight-run triumph over England in the eighth match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.
This defeat officially ended England’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals, while Afghanistan kept their qualification chances alive.
Chasing 326, England suffered an early setback, losing two wickets for just 30 runs in 6.1 overs as Phil Salt (12) and Jamie Smith (9) fell cheaply.
Joe Root, arriving at number four, partnered with Ben Duckett to stabilize the innings. The duo stitched together a crucial 68-run stand before Rashid Khan dismissed Duckett for 38.
Root continued to hold England’s innings together, adding 35 runs with Harry Brook (25), before finding strong support from captain Jos Buttler. The experienced pair put on a vital 83-run partnership for the fifth wicket, taking England past the 200-run mark.
Omarzai provided the breakthrough in the 37th over, dismissing Buttler for a 42-ball 38, which included two sixes. England’s hopes took another hit when Liam Livingstone departed soon after for a modest contribution.
Root and Jamie Overton then kept England’s chase alive with a gritty 57-run stand for the seventh wicket. However, Omarzai struck again in the 46th over, getting Root caught behind just when England needed 39 more runs for victory. Root top-scored with a brilliant 120 off 111 balls, laced with 12 boundaries and a six.
Afghanistan tightened their grip further when Omarzai removed Overton (32 off 28) in the 48th over before claiming his fifth wicket in the final over to seal his career-best bowling figures of 5/58.
Mohammad Nabi chipped in with two wickets, while Rashid Khan, Gulbadin Naib, and Fazalhaq Farooqi took one each.
Earlier, Afghanistan’s decision to bat first paid off as they posted a commanding 325/7 in 50 overs. However, their start was far from ideal, with Jofra Archer wreaking havoc in the top order, reducing them to 37/3 in 8.5 overs.
Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi then steadied the innings alongside Ibrahim Zadran, adding 103 runs for the fourth wicket. Their stand ended in the 30th over when Adil Rashid bowled Shahidi for a cautious 40 off 67 balls, including three boundaries.
Zadran then formed another crucial partnership with Omarzai, the duo adding 82 runs off just 63 deliveries before Overton dismissed Omarzai (41 off 31) in the 40th over. Omarzai’s brisk innings included one four and three sixes.
The Afghan innings gained further momentum when Zadran combined with Mohammad Nabi for a sensational 111-run stand. Zadran was finally dismissed on the first ball of the final over after a remarkable 177 off 146 balls, studded with 12 fours and six sixes.
Nabi followed two balls later after smashing 40 off 24 balls, featuring two fours and three sixes.
Archer was England’s most successful bowler, finishing with 3/64 in his 10 overs. Livingstone took two wickets, while Overton and Rashid picked up one each.
