One of the biggest upsets happened in the Champions Trophy 2025 yesterday (26 Feb) when Afghanistan delivered a stunning performance to secure an eight-run victory over England, knocking the English team out of the Champions Trophy 2025.
Ibrahim Zadran and Azmatullah Omarzai played pivotal roles in the win at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, ensuring Afghanistan remained in contention for a semi-final spot.
Winning the toss and electing to bat first, Afghanistan faced early setbacks as England’s Jofra Archer dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal and Rahmat Shah with the new ball. However, Hashmatullah Shahidi and Zadran steadied the innings with a crucial 103-run partnership off 124 balls. After Shahidi’s departure for 40, Omarzai launched a counterattack, scoring a brisk 41 off 31 balls. Mohammad Nabi also made a significant impact with a quickfire 40 off 24 deliveries.
However, the standout performer was Ibrahim Zadran, who played a sensational knock of 177 in 146 balls, marking his second 150-plus score. He was finally dismissed by Liam Livingstone in the last over as Afghanistan posted a formidable total of 325/7. Jofra Archer was the pick of the bowlers for England, finishing with figures of 3/64 in his 10 overs.
Chasing 326, England lost Phil Salt early, courtesy of Omarzai. Jamie Smith’s aggressive approach against Mohammad Nabi did not pay off and he was dismissed in the seventh over. Ben Duckett and Joe Root then stitched together a 68-run stand, offering England a glimmer of hope.
Harry Brook played a quick cameo before Jos Buttler joined Root in the middle and their partnership of 83 runs off 91 balls put England in a strong position. However, Omarzai turned the tide by dismissing Buttler in the 37th over and Liam Livingstone fell cheaply soon after. Root, the backbone of England’s chase, fought valiantly with a brilliant 120 off 111 balls but was eventually sent back by Omarzai, causing a decisive blow to England’s hopes.
With Jamie Overton left to salvage the innings, England’s chase faltered. Overton’s fighting knock of 32 ended in the 48th over and Afghanistan bowled out England for 317 in 49.5 overs, sealing a memorable victory and keeping their tournament dreams alive.
The cricket fraternity and fans couldn’t keep calm on this historic win of Afghanistan and here are some selected reactions:
https://x.com/sachin_rt/status/1894819993638052320
https://x.com/iSanjanaGanesan/status/1894799296903406060
https://x.com/mmbangwa/status/1894799410699087993
https://x.com/Romanaamir01/status/1894799176627823053
https://x.com/MichaelVaughan/status/1894798407597789609
https://x.com/SKULSHADY/status/1894801259120730359
https://x.com/Aditya4BMR/status/1894798423867392036
https://x.com/cricketcoast/status/1894805471736791497
https://x.com/KantInEast/status/1894810254107681210
Congratulations, Afghanistan!
