'When will Pakistan learn?' ！ Fans react as Ibrahim Zadran's 177 powers Afghanistan to 325 against England in Champions Trophy 2025
Ibrahim Zadran became the first Afghan player to score a ton in Champions Trophy history. He played 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 against England.
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.
Ibrahim Zadran's 177:
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.
Second 150+ score in the #ChampionsTrophy and it's Afghanistan's Ibrahim Zadran punching it ?#AFGvENG ??: https://t.co/6IQekpiozs pic.twitter.com/E0Jurd7p0h
！ ICC (@ICC) February 26, 2025
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.
Fans react:
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."
Losing three wickets inside Power Play but still Afghanistan scored 325 runs against England, when will Pakistan learn this that's show Afghanistan have Played better cricket then Pakistan #AFGvENG#ENGvAFG#CT25
！ Ali Murtaza (@iAliMurtaza) February 26, 2025
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."
At this point, Afghanistan plays better cricket than Pakistan and Bangladesh.
！ rio (@rioo_03) February 26, 2025
I appeal @ICC to demote these 2 to associate nations for playing disgusting cricket.#AFGvENG #CT25
A fan bluntly stated, "Pakistan should learn cricket from Afghanistan."
Pakistan should learn cricket from Afghanistan.
！ Fayyaz Butt (@nordmark101) February 26, 2025
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."
Pakistani cricket pandits crib about their poor first class system and blame it responsible for the lacklusture performance of Pakistan cricket team in recent past.
！ ????? ?? (@Yunii_que) February 26, 2025
They should look at Afghanistan team and reconsider their opinion. #ICCChampionsTrophy2025.
About AFG vs ENG:
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.
AFG vs ENG: Teams
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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Karen Noronha is a versatile journalist with a passion for sports and K-pop. With over 7 years of experience at publications like IBTimes UK, DNA, and OTTPlay/DesiMartini, she seamlessly transitions between covering global athletic events and the dynamic world of K-pop.
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