In a historic Champions Trophy 2025 match, Afghanistan’s star opener Ibrahim Zadran delivered a breathtaking performance against England at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Zadran’s magnificent 177-run knock off 146 balls not only powered Afghanistan to a massive 325/7 in 50 overs but also set the record for the highest individual score in ICC Champions Trophy history.
With 12 boundaries and 6 sixes, Zadran surpassed the previous record, establishing himself as one of Afghanistan's most dominant batters in ODI cricket. His innings provided Afghanistan with a solid foundation in this crucial ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Group B clash.
Afghanistan’s Innings: Zadran Anchors the Revival
Winning the toss, Afghanistan opted to bat first. However, their innings got off to a shaky start as England’s pace attack, spearheaded by Jofra Archer, reduced them to 37/3 within the first 10 overs.
Archer’s fiery spell dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz (6), Sediqullah Atal (4), and Rahmat Shah (4) early, putting Afghanistan under immense pressure. But Zadran stood tall, displaying remarkable resilience and technique to counter England’s bowling attack.
Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (40 off 67 balls) played a crucial supporting role, stitching a 103-run partnership with Zadran for the fourth wicket. This stand stabilized Afghanistan’s innings, allowing them to recover from the early setbacks.
Zadran’s Onslaught Powers Afghanistan to 325/7
Once settled, Zadran unleashed his aggressive stroke play, punishing England’s bowlers with a mix of classic cover drives, powerful pulls, and elegant lofted shots. His acceleration in the middle overs was complemented by Azmatullah Omarzai (41 off 31 balls) and Mohammad Nabi (40 off 24 balls), who played crucial cameos.
Zadran continued his dominance until the final over, where he fell while attempting another big hit off Liam Livingstone. His 177-run knock became the highest individual score ever recorded in Champions Trophy history, surpassing England’s Ben Duckett’s 165 earlier in the tournament.
Afghanistan's final total of 325/7 in 50 overs is now their highest-ever score against England in ODI cricket.
England’s Bowling Struggles
Despite early success, England’s bowlers struggled to contain Afghanistan’s aggressive batting. Jofra Archer was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 3/64 in 10 overs. Liam Livingstone also chipped in with 2 wickets, but England’s bowling attack failed to stop Zadran’s historic innings.
England’s Run Chase – A Huge Task Ahead
Chasing a daunting 326-run target, England’s openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett started cautiously, reaching 12/0 in the opening overs. With Afghanistan’s spin-heavy bowling attack waiting to challenge them, England’s batting lineup now faces a tough challenge to keep their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 hopes alive.
This thrilling England vs Afghanistan clash is already shaping up to be one of the best matches of the tournament, with Zadran’s record-breaking performance taking center stage.
Key Takeaways from Afghanistan vs England, ICC Champions Trophy 2025:
✔️ Ibrahim Zadran’s 177 is now the highest individual score in ICC Champions Trophy history.
✔️ Afghanistan posts a formidable 325/7 in 50 overs against England.
✔️ Jofra Archer (3/64) was England’s best bowler, but Afghanistan dominated the batting.
✔️ England needs 326 to win – can they chase it down?
Stay tuned for more updates on the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the latest cricket news, match previews, fantasy tips, and Dream11 predictions!
0 Comments