Afghanistan's Ibrahim Zadran made history on Wednesday, scoring 177 runs against England at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, thereby recording the highest individual score ever seen in the tournament's history. This remarkable feat took place at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, as Zadran's powerful performance helped propel Afghanistan to 325 runs, marking their highest total in ICC Men's ODI tournaments.
Zadran's innings, featuring 12 boundaries and six sixes, eclipsed the previous record of 165 runs held by England's Ben Duckett, who set the mark just days prior against Australia. The match proved pivotal for Afghanistan, who had lost their opening game in the tournament and needed to secure this win to keep their semi-final hopes alive.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, Afghanistan faced early troubles with the bat, losing three wickets for just 37 runs, primarily due to the incisive bowling of England's Jofra Archer. With the batting order under pressure, Zadran and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi formed a much-needed partnership, combining for 103 runs to stabilize the innings. Zadran's ability to play both aggressively and with careful precision showcased his batting range, as he relentlessly attacked the English bowlers after the shaky start.
Following his partnership with Shahidi, Zadran continued to showcase his skills with another significant partnership, adding 81 runs with Azmatullah Omarzai. This base allowed Afghanistan to post an impressive total, highlighting Zadran’s pivotal role as the opener.
Notably, this match makes Zadran the first player to score his nation's first century at both the ICC World Cup and the Champions Trophy. His achievements on the field have not only made him a standout player for Afghanistan but also brought attention to the growing stature of cricket within the nation. His previous century was against Sri Lanka during the World Cup 2023.
Zadran's innings became the talk of the tournament, eleving his status as one to watch long-term. His performance serves as affirmation of Afghanistan's cricketing prowess, and as they progress through this tournament, it is clear Zadran's contribution will be integral.
With his latest milestone, Zadran has now tied Mohammad Shahzad for the second-most centuries by any Afghan player, just behind Rahmanullah Gurbaz. His knack for scoring quickly and deeply has made him one of the leading batsmen for Afghanistan, demonstrating his potential to become one of cricket's top players.
Zadran’s record-setting performance at the Champions Trophy may have come against the backdrop of adversity; it nevertheless signals much more than just personal achievement. It reflects the spirit and determination of Afghan cricket, and as Zadran continues to develop, his influence on the game is likely to expand exponentially.
While there are currently questions surrounding his absence from the IPL, where no franchises expressed interest during the auction, Zadran's recent achievements could serve as their own form of advertisement for his talents. The IPL is known for its unpredictability, and late season injuries to existing players could result in teams seeking strong replacements. Zadran’s current form may just attract interest from franchises needing top-order contributors.
For now, Zadran will look to build on this monumental performance and continue helping his team compete at the highest levels. The cricketing community eagerly awaits what he will do next, both for his own career and for the future of Afghanistan's cricket.