Afghanistan pulled off a sensational 8-run win against England in a crucial Group B encounter of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, knocking the former Afghanistan vs England Champions Trophy out of the tournament. The match, held at Gaddafi Stadium, was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Afghanistan showcasing an impressive all-round performance.
Afghanistan Sets a Record-Breaking Target
Winning the toss and electing to bat first, Afghanistan set a formidable target of 326 runs, thanks to a historic innings from Ibrahim Zadran.
Zadran’s Record-Breaking Knock
The Afghan opener stole the show, smashing 177 runs off 146 balls, making it the highest individual score in Afghanistan vs England Champions Trophy Trophy history. His knock featured:
✅ 6 Sixes
✅ 12 Fours
However, Afghanistan’s innings had a shaky start, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz (6), Sediqullah Atal (4), and Rahmat Shah (4) falling cheaply to Jofra Archer’s fiery pace.
England’s Valiant Chase Falls Short
In response, England fought hard but ultimately fell just 8 runs short, getting bowled out for 317 runs.
Joe Root’s Heroic Effort
Joe Root led the charge with a brilliant 120 runs off 111 balls, hitting one six and eleven fours. His innings kept England in the hunt, but his dismissal triggered a collapse.
Middle Order Struggles
Despite contributions from:
- Ben Duckett (38)
- Jos Buttler (38)
- Jamie Overton (32)
- Harry Brook (25)
England couldn’t keep up with the required run rate. Phil Salt (12), Liam Livingstone (10), and Jamie Smith (9) failed to make a significant impact, sealing England’s fate.
Afghanistan’s Bowlers Deliver Under Pressure
Afghanistan’s bowlers held their nerves in the final overs, with Mohammad Nabi leading the attack, taking two crucial wickets.
Other key contributions included:
- Fazalhaq Farooqi – 1 wicket
- Rashid Khan – 1 wicket
- Gulbadin Naib – 1 wicket
Their disciplined bowling ensured Afghanistan’s place in the semi-final race, while England suffered an early exit from the tournament.
Captains’ Reactions
🔹 Afghanistan’s captain Hashmatullah Shahidi remained confident before the match, stating:
“We will play with a positive mindset and expect our spinners to perform well.”
🔹 England’s captain Jos Buttler acknowledged Afghanistan’s bowling strength but backed his team’s pacers, saying:
“We are aware of Afghanistan’s spin attack, but our pace bowlers are ready for the challenge.”
What’s Next?
With this historic win, Afghanistan keeps its semi-final hopes alive and strengthens its reputation as a rising cricketing powerhouse. Meanwhile, England faces a disappointing early exit, marking the end of their Afghanistan vs England Champions Trophy campaign.
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Afghanistan’s triumph against England will be remembered as one of the most thrilling matches of the 2025 ICC Afghanistan vs England Champions Trophy. Can they continue their dream run? Stay tuned for more action! 🚀🏏
Bahzad Sandhu