Afghanistan made headlines at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with a monumental victory over England, dramatically revitalizing their tournament ambitions. The match, which took place on February 26 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, was pivotal for both teams, each needing the win to keep their semi-final hopes alive. The Afghan side delivered emphatically, putting on display their strength and resilience, primarily through batsman Ibrahim Zadran's record-breaking performance.
Zadran's spectacular innings of 177 runs off just 146 deliveries not only became the highest score by any Afghan player in the history of the ICC Champions Trophy but also outshone the previous tournament record of 165 runs set by Ben Duckett of England earlier this year. This innings was characterized by aggressive stroke play against both pace and spin, as Zadran sent the English bowling attack to the ropes with 12 boundaries and six towering sixes.
Winning the toss at Gaddafi Stadium, Afghanistan’s captain Hashmatullah Shahidi opted to bat first, setting the tone for what would become one of the most significant cricketing encounters for Afghanistan. After losing early wickets, Zadran found stability alongside his teammates, Hashmatullah Shahidi and Mohammad Nabi, who not only supported him but also contributed significantly to the team's total. Shahidi and Nabi scored 40 runs each, bolstering Afghanistan's total to 325 runs for the loss of seven wickets.
The pressure was immense for both teams. A loss would mean elimination from the tournament for either side, so the stakes couldn’t have been higher. England, having lost their previous encounter against Australia, were eager to bounce back but faced fierce resistance from Afghanistan's batters.
England’s Jofra Archer shone with the ball, securing three wickets during his 10 overs, but the Afghan batsmen proved too strong. The England bowlers battled through, yet the economy rate of over 6 runs per over showcased the relentless scoring pace from Zadran and the rest of the batting line-up.
While Zadran was certainly the star of the show, his innings was not without drama. After reaching his century off 106 balls, he soared to 177, with the momentum of the match swinging heavily Afghanistan’s way as he began to dismantle the English bowling with ruthless precision. The innings culminated with Zadran trying to push the score even higher, eventually falling to Liam Livingstone, but the damage was done.
Afghanistan set England the hefty target of 326 runs to advance their ambitions for the tournament. England embarked on their chase with optimism but quickly found themselves on the back foot as Afghan bowlers struck at regular intervals, echoing the fast pace set by Zadran.
Mohammad Nabi showcased his skills as both a bowler and batsman, making significant plays during the match, including taking the first wicket on his very first delivery. The Afghan spinners, led by the prolific Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad, aimed to stifle England’s chase, setting the stage for high drama as over 700 runs were last seen when England faced Australia at the very same venue.
The atmosphere during the match was electric; cricket fans across the globe tuned in to witness this compelling showdown. The game was marred by off-pitch controversies, with political pressures surrounding England's participation, related to the Taliban's regulations affecting women’s sports. Yet, the cricketing spirit prevailed as both teams focused on the game at hand.
With England now pushed to the edge of elimination, they needed to channel every ounce of talent to secure victory. Phil Salt and Ben Duckett opened for England, aiming to breach Afghanistan’s rock-solid bowling. Yet, they faced fierce resistance, mirroring the match's nature earlier on, where partners like Zadran displayed grit and determination.
Despite the spirited efforts of England, led by Archer's efforts with the ball, they struggled to contend with the well-rounded and confident Afghanistan side. Zadran's performance holds weight not just for records but also symbolizes Afghanistan's rising stature on the international stage, highlighting their evolution as cricket contenders.
The culmination of Afghanistan's efforts has now set the stage for subsequent matches, with teams vying for positions to advance to the semi-finals. With this victory against England, Afghanistan underlined the growth of their cricketing prowess and competitive spirit. Zadran’s heroics have not only broken records but inspired future generations about the heights Afghan cricket can reach on the world stage.