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Overview
In the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Group B 4th match Afghanistan shocked England to knock them out of the tournament. After a thrilling game at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore between the top sides, Afghanistan came on top by the barest of margins.
It was a knockout match for both the teams and it was expected that it would be a cracker of a game. Both England and Afghanistan teams fought hard for the win but in the end, one has to win so, Afghanistan won the match and beat England for the 2nd time in the ICC tournaments consecutively. Previously they had beaten England in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 group match in India.
We have seen some top performances from both sides and the crowd was surely entertained with the quality of cricket played there. Cricket fans in Lahore came into the stadium to support the both sides.
Team News and playing 11
England made one change to their playing 11 as Jamie Overton came into the side as a replacement for injured Brydon Carse. Afghanistan came into the match with the same side that had played a match against South Africa.
1st Innings and Key Moments
Earlier England won the toss and they decided to bowl first on a track that was looking quite decent for batting. Jofra Archer dismissed Rehman Ullah Gurbaz and Sediq Ullah Atal in his 2nd over to provide England with an earlier opening. Jofra struck again to dismiss in form Rehmat Shah to leave Afghanistan reeling at 37/3 in the 9th over.
Hashmat Ullah Shahidi and Ibrahim Zadran steadied the ship and recovered Afghanistan from the earlier dent. Zadran played some traffic shots in the process to raise the tempo and completed his fine fifty. Just when it was looking like both the batsmen were about to break free Adil Rashid struck back to dismiss captain Hashmat Ullah Shahidi. Azmat Ullah Omerzai came in and played some aggressive shorts to up the scoring rate. He made a quick-fire 41 off just 31 balls.
On the other side, Zadran was holding his end firmly, he played a top-quality knock and completed his hundred. Afghanistan batter Muhammad Nabi took England bowlers to the cleaners in the last 10 overs as Afghanistan posted a commanding total of 325/7 in their 50 overs. Zadran broke the world record for the highest innings at the stage of the ICC Champions Trophy. He scored a magnificent 177 off just 146 balls. Muhammad Nabi scored 40 off just 24 balls. For England, Jofra Archer was the pick of the bowlers as he got 3 for 66 in his 10 overs.
2nd Innings and Key Moments
While chasing a challenging total of 326, England lost their opener Phil Salt and Jamie Smith earlier. England's most reliable batter ever Joe Root joined Ben Duckett in the middle. Ben Duckett was in splendid form and along with Joe Root he stabilized the Innings. Ben Duckett continued his good form from the last match and played some delightful shots to keep the required rate under control.
Rashid Khan was introduced to get the breakthrough and he provided immediately as he removed in-form set batter Ben Duckett. It was the big wicket for Afghanistan as he was in prime form and was playing spin very well. At that time England was 98/3 just in the 17th over. Harry Brook started playing his shots from the ball as he tried to put the pressure back on Afghanistan bowlers. Muhammad Nabi caught and bowled Harry Brook who was looking very good to dent England's progress.
Joe Root and Joss Buttler settled the nerves in the England dugout as they built a solid partnership and took England's score to 215 without any further loss. Just when things were settling for England Omerzai struck again to dismiss Joss Buttler. Liam Livingstone also departed without providing much contribution with the bat. Joe Root played a fine knock and completed his 17th ODI Ton as he took England to the sight of victory. When England needed 38 off 26 balls Omerzai was brought back to dismiss well-set Joe Root. He played a fine knock but unfortunately couldn't take his team to victory.
England's tail fought hard to take England over the line but in the end, it was just not enough as Afghanistan got a famous win and beat England by 8 runs. It was a fine all-round performance from Afghanistan.
Top Performers of the Match
1st Innings
- Ibrahim Zadran scored 177 off 146 balls
- Azmat Ullah Omerzai scored 41 off 31 balls.
- Muhammad Nabi scored 40 runs off just 24 overs.
- Jofra Archer got 3 for 66 in his 10 overs.
2nd Innings
- Joe Root scored 120 off 111 balls
- Omerzai got 5 for 58 in his 9.5 overs overs.
Ibrahim Zadran was handed a well-deserved Man of the Match award for his match-winning and record-breaking knock of 177 off just 146 balls. He was just outstanding with the bat, this should be his innings to be remembered forever. While wickets were tumbling on the other end he held his end firmly to help Afghanistan setting a very good total.
Where was the match lost?
I think Joe Root's wicket was the turning point of the match until then England had controlled the game beautifully and they were in the driving seat but once he got out it was always tough for them. Although the target was good and challenging the pitch was belter and it was chaseable but many England batters couldn't convert their starts into big scores. So, in the end, their effort was just not good enough to take them over the line whereas Afghanistan was just just brilliant.
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