Afghanistan stun England, keep Champions Trophy hopes alive with thrilling win

Afghanistan delivered a stunning blow to England’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign, securing a thrilling eight-run victory at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday.

Ibrahim Zadran’s record-breaking 177 propelled Afghanistan to 325-7 in 50 overs. Pacer Azmatullah Omarzai then starred with the ball, taking 5-58 to bowl England out for 317, keeping Afghanistan’s semi-final hopes alive.

Chasing a stiff target, England lost Phil Salt (12) and Jamie Smith (9) early. Azmatullah bowled Salt, while Mohammad Nabi dismissed Smith.

Ben Duckett and Joe Root rebuilt with a 68-run stand before Rashid Khan trapped Duckett lbw for 38. Harry Brook (25) failed to convert his start, caught and bowled by Nabi, leaving England at 133-4.

Skipper Jos Buttler and Root added 83 runs for the fifth wicket before Omarzai removed Buttler (38), caught in the deep. England struggled at 216-5 in the 37th over.

Liam Livingstone (10) edged Gulbadin Naib to the keeper, increasing pressure on Root, who fought hard with a brilliant 120 off 111 balls. He reached his 17th ODI century in 98 balls, hitting 11 fours and a six.

Root’s dismissal in the 46th over, caught by Omarzai, left England needing 39 runs. Jamie Overton (32) contributed, but England fell short. Fazalhaq Farooqi removed Jofra Archer (14) in the 49th over, and Azmatullah sealed the win by dismissing Adil Rashid (5) in the final over.

Afghanistan’s innings was anchored by Zadran, who set a new Champions Trophy record, surpassing Ben Duckett’s 165 against Australia. It was also Afghanistan’s highest individual ODI score.

England's Mark Wood in action.Reuters

After losing three wickets for 37, Zadran steadied the innings with captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (40) in a 103-run stand. He then partnered with Omarzai (41) for 72 runs and added 111 with Nabi (40).

Zadran hit six sixes and 12 fours, reaching his century off 106 balls and his 150 off 134. He fell in the final over, but his knock had already ensured a competitive total.

Jofra Archer (3-64) gave England an early edge, removing Gurbaz (6), Sediqulah Atal (4), and Rahmat Shah (4) to reduce Afghanistan to 15-2. Archer also became England’s fastest bowler to 50 ODI wickets in 30 matches, surpassing James Anderson’s record.

Liam Livingstone (2-28) provided breakthroughs, while Jamie Overton (1-72) and Adil Rashid (1-60) were also among the wickets.

With two points on the board, Afghanistan now face a do-or-die clash against Australia on Friday at the same venue.