Afghanistan Stuns England Again in a Thriller, Keeping Champions Trophy Hopes Alive

 

After the dissappointment of the much awaited clash between Australia  & South Africa being completely washed out due to incessant rain at Rawalpindi, Afghanistan provided great cheers to cricket lovers all over the world by beating fancied England in a thriller at Lahore to re ignite their Semi final hopes . 

Afghanistan has once again asserted its growing dominance in white-ball cricket, defeating England in a nail-biting encounter at the Champions Trophy. This victory can no longer be termed an "upset"—Afghanistan’s consistent performances on the world stage have proven they are a force to be reckoned with. The team, which once carried the label of an underdog, has now earned its place among the most competitive sides in limited-overs cricket.

Batting first, Hashmatullah Shahidi’s team put up an imposing total of 325/7, thanks to a record-breaking 177-run knock by Ibrahim Zadran. England, in response, fought hard but fell short, getting bowled out for 317 in 49.5 overs. Joe Root’s valiant 120-run innings was not enough to save the defending champions, who have now become the third team to be eliminated from the tournament.

Cricket Thrives Amidst Adversity

Despite the turmoil in their homeland, Afghanistan’s cricketers continue to shine on the global stage. Rashid Khan, Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz have shown that determination can triumph over adversity. In the 2023 ODI World Cup, Afghanistan had already made a statement by finishing among the top six teams, defeating the likes of England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. That momentum carried into the T20 World Cup, where they outplayed New Zealand in the group stage and stunned Australia in the Super 8. Now, in the Champions Trophy, they have once again outclassed a top-tier team, proving that their success is no fluke.

Zadran’s Historic Knock Leads the Charge

The match did not begin well for Afghanistan, as they lost three wickets for just 37 runs. Gurbaz (6), Sediqullah Atal (4), and Rahmat Shah (4) all fell cheaply. However, Zadran and Shahidi stabilized the innings, putting together a crucial 103-run partnership. Unlike their previous match against South Africa, Afghanistan showed greater maturity with the bat. They consolidated in the middle overs and accelerated at the end.

Zadran, who opened the innings, played almost the entire innings before being dismissed in the final over. His 177-run innings off 146 balls—laced with 12 fours and 6 sixes—became the highest individual score in Champions Trophy history. Late contributions from Azmatullah Omarzai (41 off 31) and Mohammad Nabi (40 off 24) propelled Afghanistan to 325. For England, Jofra Archer picked up three wickets, while Liam Livingstone took two in the final over. Jamie Overton and Adil Rashid claimed a wicket each.

Root’s Heroics in Vain as Afghanistan’s Bowlers Hold Their Nerve

Chasing 326, England found themselves in early trouble at 30/2. Phil Salt (12) and Jamie Smith (9) failed to provide a solid start. Ben Duckett (38 off 45) and Root attempted to stabilize the innings, but England struggled to build substantial partnerships. Harry Brook (25 off 21), Jos Buttler (38 off 42), and Livingstone (10 off 8) fell while trying to accelerate.

Root remained England’s anchor, keeping their hopes alive till the very end. His 120-run knock off 111 balls, featuring 11 fours and a six, was a masterclass in pressure batting. However, once he fell to Omarzai, England’s chances crumbled. Late efforts from Overton (32 off 28) and Archer (14 off 8) were not enough. Omarzai was Afghanistan’s standout bowler, taking 5/58, while Nabi chipped in with two wickets for 57 runs.

Afghanistan’s Semi-Final Hopes Still Alive

With this win, Afghanistan stays in contention for a semi-final spot. Their fate now depends on their must-win clash against Australia on February 28. Both South Africa and Australia currently have three points. If Afghanistan wins, they will move up to four points, eliminating Australia. Meanwhile, if England defeats South Africa, Afghanistan could top the group, with net run rate deciding the second semi-finalist between Australia and South Africa. However, if both Australia and South Africa win their final matches, they will progress to the last four.

For now, Afghanistan’s remarkable journey continues. What was once considered an anomaly is now a testament to their evolution as a serious cricketing powerhouse.