A sensational 177-run knock by Ibrahim Zadran, followed by a match-winning five-wicket haul from Azmatullah Omarzai, propelled Afghanistan to a thrilling seven-run win over England in the eighth match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 at Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.
The defeat ended England’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals, while Afghanistan kept their chances alive in the tournament.
Chasing 326 for victory, England endured a shaky start, losing both openers—Phil Salt (12) and Jamie Smith (9)—with just 30 runs on the board in 6.1 overs.
Joe Root then steadied the innings, first adding 68 runs with Ben Duckett (38) before Rashid Khan broke the partnership. Root continued to anchor the chase, contributing a 35-run stand with Harry Brook (25) and later forming a crucial 83-run partnership with captain Jos Buttler (38 off 42, 2 sixes) to push England past 200.
However, Omarzai struck at a crucial moment in the 37th over, dismissing Buttler to dent England’s momentum. Wickets continued to tumble, with Liam Livingstone falling cheaply.
Root, who played a magnificent knock of 120 off 111 balls (12 fours, 1 six), found support from Jamie Overton in a vital 57-run seventh-wicket partnership. But just when England needed 39 runs off the last five overs, Omarzai removed Root in the 46th over, swinging the match in Afghanistan’s favor.
Omarzai struck again in the 48th over, removing Overton (32 off 28, 3 fours), sealing Afghanistan’s hard-fought win.
Earlier, Afghanistan posted a formidable 325/7 after opting to bat first—a decision that initially seemed risky as Jofra Archer wreaked havoc, reducing them to 37/3 in 8.5 overs with three early wickets.
Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi then partnered with Zadran to rebuild the innings with a 103-run stand. Shahidi contributed a steady 40 off 67 before falling to Adil Rashid in the 30th over.
Zadran, however, continued his dominance, adding 82 runs with Omarzai (41 off 31, 1 four, 3 sixes) before forging a stunning 111-run partnership with Mohammad Nabi.
Zadran’s incredible 177 off 146 balls, laced with 12 fours and 6 sixes, ended on the first ball of the final over. Nabi (40 off 24, 2 fours, 3 sixes) departed soon after, but their efforts ensured Afghanistan set a daunting target.
For England, Archer was the standout bowler with 3/64 in his 10 overs, while Livingstone picked up two wickets. Overton and Rashid claimed a wicket each.
With this victory, Afghanistan not only kept their Champions Trophy campaign alive but also secured one of their most memorable wins against a top-tier side, knocking England out of the tournament.
