As a cricket fan who lives and breathes this glorious game, I can tell you there’s nothing quite like the thrill of an underdog toppling a giant—and that’s exactly what we witnessed on February 26, 2025 Afghanistan vs England ICC Champions Trophy, at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The Afghanistan vs England clash in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 wasn’t just a match; it was a rollercoaster of emotions, a testament to skill, and a moment that’ll echo through cricket’s halls for years. Afghanistan stunned England by 8 runs—325/7 to 317 all out—knocking the Three Lions out of the tournament and keeping their own semifinal hopes alive.
Ibrahim Zadran’s majestic 177, Azmatullah Omarzai’s heroic five-wicket haul, and Joe Root’s valiant 120 couldn’t save England from a defeat that felt like a Bollywood climax—dramatic, unexpected, and oh-so-satisfying. Let’s break down this epic encounter, dive into the stats, analyze the brilliance, and celebrate why cricket is the greatest sport on earth.
Afghanistan vs England ICC Champions Trophy 2025: The Match That Had It All
Picture this: Gaddafi Stadium, 27,000 fans buzzing, a flat Lahore pitch primed for runs, and two teams fighting for survival in Group B. England, reeling from a 5-wicket loss to Australia, needed a win to stay in the semifinal race. Afghanistan, after a 107-run drubbing by South Africa, were in the same boat—lose, and it’s curtains. The stakes couldn’t have been higher when Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss at 2:00 PM IST (1:30 PM local) and opted to bat, banking on their batting depth to set a daunting total (ESPNcricinfo).
Afghanistan’s Innings: Ibrahim Zadran’s Day in the Sun
What a start it was—or wasn’t—for Afghanistan. Jofra Archer struck thrice in the powerplay: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (8) caught at slip, Sediqullah Atal (10) nicked off, and Rahmat Shah (1) bowled—37/3 in 8.3 overs. England’s pace was on fire, and I thought, “Here we go, another collapse.” But then came Ibrahim Zadran, a 23-year-old with ice in his veins and fire in his bat. Alongside Shahidi (40 off 67), he stitched a 109-run stand—smart cricket, soaking pressure, picking gaps. Shahidi fell to Adil Rashid, but Zadran? He was just warming up.
Enter Mohammad Nabi (42 off 38)—the wise old head—and Zadran shifted gears. His fifty came off 65 balls, his ton off 106, and by the 40th over, he was in beast mode—177 off 146 (18 fours, 5 sixes). The last 10 overs bled 113 runs—sixes soaring over midwicket, fours piercing covers. Azmatullah Omarzai’s 41 off 26 (4 fours, 1 six) was the cherry on top—325/7, Afghanistan’s highest in ICC 50-over events and the tournament’s biggest total. England’s bowlers—Archer (3/64), Mark Wood (1/64)—took a hammering, and I knew this was a mountain to climb.
England’s Chase: Joe Root’s Heroics, Azmatullah Omarzai’s Magic
Chasing 326, England needed a blazing start. Phil Salt (19 off 18) and Ben Duckett (27 off 25) put up 42 in 7 overs—decent, but Rashid Khan’s spin snagged Salt—42/1. Duckett fell to Noor Ahmad’s guile, and Jos Buttler (38 off 38) joined Joe Root to steady the ship—80/2 in 13 overs. Buttler’s exit to Omarzai sparked a wobble—Harry Brook (25) and Liam Livingstone (15) couldn’t handle spin, leaving England 208/5 in 35 overs. Game over? Not with Root still there.
Root’s 120 off 111 (10 fours, 2 sixes) was a masterclass—17th ODI ton, first since 2019, pure elegance under pressure. By the 41st over, he had England at 246/6—80 needed off 54 balls. Jamie Overton’s 21 off 15 kept hope alive, but Omarzai turned hero again. Root’s heroic knock ended at 120—caught off a slower ball—268/7 in 44 overs. Jofra Archer (14) and Adil Rashid (5) fought, but Omarzai’s final over was ice-cold—Rashid caught on the fifth ball, 317 all out, 8 runs short. Five wickets for Omarzai (5/58)—first Afghan to do it in an ICC ODI event—and England were out.
Afghanistan vs England ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Expert Reviews
As a cricket nut who’s watched legends from Imran Khan to Virat Kohli, I can say this match was a classic David vs Goliath tale—with Afghanistan rewriting the script. Let’s break it down with an expert lens:
Batting Brilliance: Ibrahim Zadran’s Record-Breaker
Ibrahim Zadran’s 177 wasn’t just a knock—it was a statement. Highest score in CT 2025 (beating Ben Duckett’s 165), highest for Afghanistan in ODIs (topping his own 162 vs Sri Lanka, 2022), and a clutch performance after 37/3. His 267.37 impact points as Cricinfo’s MVP say it all—65-ball fifty, 41-ball ton acceleration, 113 runs in the last 10. Shahidi’s gritty 40 and Nabi’s explosive 42 turned a shaky start into a monster total—325/7 was a mountain England couldn’t scale.
Bowling Masterclass: Azmatullah Omarzai’s Golden Arm
Azmatullah Omarzai’s 5/58 was the game-changer—first Afghan five-for in an ICC ODI event, third overall (Gulbadin Naib, Hamid Hassan). Buttler at 38, Root at 120—key scalps at crunch times. His final over defending 13 runs? Pure guts—Rashid’s wicket sealed it. Rashid Khan (1/62) and Fazalhaq Farooqi (1/61) backed him, but Omarzai was the rockstar—41 runs with bat, five with ball, echoing Sachin Tendulkar’s rare 40+ and 4+ feat in CT history.
England’s Fight: Joe Root’s Lone Stand
Joe Root’s 120 was heartbreakingly brilliant—17th ODI ton, 111 balls, a lifeline when England were drowning. But where was the support? Buttler’s 38 was too brief, Brook’s 25 too timid against spin—England’s 6th straight ODI loss since November 2024 stings. Archer’s 3/64 early gave hope, but 64 runs off 10 overs showed their bowling depth crumbled. Root deserved better—this defeat’s on the team, not him.
Afghanistan vs England ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Stats That Tell the Tale
Numbers don’t lie, and this match was a stat-fest:
- Afghanistan: 325/7 (50 overs)—highest CT 2025 total, highest Afghan score in ICC 50-over events. Zadran 177 (146), Omarzai 41 (26), Nabi 42 (38).
- England: 317 all out (49.5 overs)—Root 120 (111), Buttler 38 (38), Overton 21 (15). Omarzai 5/58, Archer 3/64.
- Head-to-Head: 4th ODI meeting—England 2-2 Afghanistan now, after Afghan’s 2023 WC upset (69 runs).
- Impact: Afghanistan jumps to 3rd in Group B (2 pts, NRR -0.990), England 4th (0 pts, NRR -0.305)—out.
England’s 6 straight ODI losses tie their 2009 streak—history they didn’t want. Zadran’s 177 is the tournament’s peak—Duckett’s 165 now second fiddle.
Expert Analysis: What Went Right, What Went Wrong
Afghanistan’s Triumph
- Ibrahim Zadran’s Anchor: 37/3 to 325/7—his 177 was the spine, adapting from caution to carnage. A 23-year-old carrying a nation—future star alert.
- Azmatullah Omarzai’s All-Round Grit: 41 runs, 5 wickets—only Tendulkar matched that in CT before. Clutch bowling under lights won it.
- Team Belief: Shahidi’s “we’re improving day-by-day” post-match rang true—2023 WC win over England (69 runs) wasn’t a fluke.
England’s Collapse
- Middle-Order Misfire: Brook and Livingstone’s spin woes—25 and 15—left Root stranded. Where’s the fight?
- Bowling Fatigue: Archer’s 3 early wickets faded—64 runs each for him and Wood in 10 overs? Lahore’s flat track exposed their lack of variety.
- Captaincy Wobble: Buttler’s 38 was solid, but his tactics—late spin, no containment—let Afghanistan run wild.
Fan Reactions: Lahore’s Night of Glory
X was a wildfire post-match:
- “Afghanistan you beauty! Zadran and Omarzai—take a bow!”—pure joy.
- “England out? Root’s ton wasted—same old story!”—frustration city.
Shahidi beamed: “Our nation’s happy—an underdog rewriting history again.” Root’s 120 got love, but Afghanistan’s nerve stole hearts.
What’s Next: Semifinal Stakes
Group B’s a three-way dance now—Australia (5 pts), South Africa (3 pts), Afghanistan (2 pts). Afghanistan face Australia March 1—a win, and they’re in; a washout, and Australia glide through. England? Homeward bound—South Africa vs England yesterday dead rubber. Group A’s set—India and New Zealand (4 pts each) duel for top spot today.
My Take: Cricket’s Unpredictable Charm
As a die-hard cricket lover, this match was why I adore this game—Afghanistan’s rise, England’s fall, Zadran’s magic, Omarzai’s heroics. England need a rethink—spin struggles and bowling depth are glaring. Afghanistan? They’re no fluke—semis beckon if they topple Australia. This wasn’t just a win; it was a love letter to cricket’s unpredictability.
Conclusion: Afghanistan vs England ICC Champions Trophy 2025—A Classic for the Ages
The “Afghanistan vs England ICC Champions Trophy 2025” match on February 26 was a spectacle—325/7 vs 317, 8 runs, history rewritten. Zadran’s 177, Omarzai’s 5/58, Root’s 120—it’s a tale of brilliance and heartbreak. What’s your highlight? Zadran’s ton, Omarzai’s five-for, or Root’s fight? Share below—let’s relive this gem: Afghanistan’s finest hour, or England’s missed chance?
