Afghanistan faced a shaky start in their must-win match against England at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, losing three wickets in the powerplay. However, stepping up to rescue his team from trouble was batter Ibrahim Zadran, who raced to his sixth ODI century — becoming the first Afghan player to score a ton in Champions Trophy history.
The star batter built a crucial century partnership with skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi after Afghanistan were struggling at 37/3. Zadran later went on to play a brilliant knock of 177 runs off 146 balls, laced with 12 fours and 6 sixes, before finally falling in the last over of the innings.
Zadran anchored the innings with vital partnerships — Hashmatullah Shahidi (40 off 67), Azmatullah Omarzai (41 off 31), and Mohammad Nabi (40 off 24) — propelling Afghanistan past the 300-run mark. His remarkable innings helped the team post a solid total of 325.?
Interestingly, with this ton by the Afghan opener, Pakistan, the host nation and the first team eliminated from the tournament, remains the only side without a centurion in this year's Champions Trophy.?
Following Zadran's outstanding knock, fans flooded X (formerly Twitter) with praise for the young batter, who is not even 25 years old. Many also took the opportunity to highlight Pakistan's struggles in the tournament.
One user wrote, "Losing three wickets inside the powerplay, but still Afghanistan scored 325 against England. When will Pakistan learn? Afghanistan is playing better cricket than us."?
Another added, "At this point, Afghanistan plays better cricket than Pakistan and Bangladesh. ICC should demote these two to associate nations for their poor performances."?
A fan bluntly stated, "Pakistan should learn cricket from Afghanistan."?
Another comment read, "Pakistani cricket pundits always blame the domestic system for the team’s failures. They should look at Afghanistan and rethink their excuses."
Both teams came into this clash after losing their opening matches — England couldn’t defend a massive 351 against Australia, while Afghanistan suffered a heavy 107-run defeat against South Africa.?
In this crucial do-or-die game, Afghanistan’s bowlers now have the task of defending 325 to keep their Champions Trophy 2025 hopes alive.?For England, Jofra Archer took three wickets, Liam Livingstone claimed two, while Jamie Overton and Adil Rashid picked up one each.?
England (Playing XI): Philip Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith(w), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler(c), Liam Livingstone, Jofra Archer, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood?
Afghanistan (Playing XI): Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi?
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