In a thrilling encounter, Afghanistan secured a dramatic 8-run victory over England, eliminating the defending champions from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Azmatullah Omarzai delivered a stellar last over, defending 13 runs, as England fell short at 317 in 49.5 overs while chasing 326 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.
Ibrahim Zadran’s Record-Breaking Knock Powers Afghanistan to 325
Opting to bat first, Afghanistan posted a competitive 325/7, courtesy of a phenomenal 177-run knock by Ibrahim Zadran. His 146-ball innings, laced with 12 fours and 6 sixes, set a new highest individual score of the tournament.
📌 Key Batting Highlights:
✔️ Ibrahim Zadran – 177 (146 balls, 12×4, 6×6)
✔️ England’s Joe Root – 120 (off 102 balls)
✔️ Babar Azam – 38 runs
✔️ Jamie Overton – 32 runs
Omarzai’s Five-Wicket Haul Seals the Deal
England looked poised to chase down the target, thanks to a fighting 120-run innings by Joe Root. However, Afghanistan’s bowlers, led by Azmatullah Omarzai’s brilliant 5-wicket haul, turned the tide in their favor.
📌 Key Bowling Performances:
✔️ Azmatullah Omarzai – 5 wickets
✔️ Mohammad Nabi – 2 wickets
How England Got Eliminated
📌 Champions Trophy Group B Standings:
- South Africa – 3 points
- Australia – 3 points
- Afghanistan – 2 points
- England – 0 points (eliminated)
🔹 England’s back-to-back defeats left them at zero points, making their final match against South Africa a mere formality.
🔹 Afghanistan can still qualify for the semi-finals if they defeat Australia in their last group-stage match.
Final Thoughts
Afghanistan’s historic victory marks a major milestone in their cricketing journey, showcasing their growing dominance on the world stage. With one more must-win clash against Australia, they are now just one step away from a semi-final berth.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.