Pakistan's Lahore witnessed a thrilling Champions Trophy showdown as Afghanistan's cricket team triumphed over England, scoring 325 runs for the loss of seven wickets. Ibrahim Zadran played a monumental role, smashing 177 runs off 146 balls, as he guided Afghanistan to their impressive total.
Before the game, Zadran had gleaned much-needed insights from star spinner Rashid Khan. "Before the game, I had a chat with Rashid. Whenever I chat with Rashid, I get a score," Zadran reflected during the mid-innings break. That confidence was pivotal, especially as Afghanistan faced early difficulties, having slipped to 37 for three within the ninth over.
Having experienced the pressure of high expectations after not playing ODI cricket for the past year, Zadran was determined to demonstrate his prowess. He shared, "I haven’t played ODI cricket for the last one year. The expectation was there from me. I was trying to put a little bit of pressure on myself." Underlining the importance of simplicity, he added, "I was trying to take time and work on my basics. I always try to keep it simple."
Following the early batting woes, skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi stepped up to the plate, forming a resilient 103-run partnership with Zadran. Shahidi contributed with 40 runs, providing the stability needed for the Afghan innings. Zadran credited guidance from his mentor, the former Pakistan player Younis Khan, and head coach Jonathan Trott, stating, "He is sharing his experience with us. I am trying to talk to him a lot during the nets sessions, and I have chatted to Jonathan Trott in the last two sessions."
Trott had assured Zadran, "You’re playing very well. Once you cross 40, you’ll play a big innings," which served as encouragement for Zadran as he turned the match around with his aggressive batting. Supported by his teammates Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi, who contributed with solid innings of 41 and 40 respectively, Zadran’s score reinforced the collective effort of the team.
At the time of writing, England was at 17 runs without loss after three overs in their chase of 326 runs. The victory holds significant importance for Afghanistan cricket, showcasing their growth and capability on the international stage.
Through their performances and resilience, the Afghanistan cricket team has proven they can contend with the world’s elite, making fans and fellow cricketers alike take notice. With Zadran leading the charge, the future looks promising for Afghanistan cricket.