Afghanistan knock England out of Champions Trophy 2025 after nail-biter contest

Ibrahim Zadran’s monumental 177-run knock, followed by Azmatullah Omarzai’s five-wicket haul, powered Afghanistan to a thrilling eight-run victory over England in the eighth match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.

The defeat put England’s semi-final chances to rest, while Afghanistan remain in content

Joe Root remained the top-scorer for England with 120 off 111 balls with the help of a dozen boundaries, including a six.

Omarzai gave Afghanistan another timely success in the 48th over by dismissing another set batter Overton, who made a 28-ball 32, featuring three boundaries.

Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi’s decision to bat first paid dividends as his batting unit yielded 325/7 in their allotted 50 overs.

The Asian side, however, had a contrasting start to their innings as Jofra Archer dismantled their top order with three quick wickets to leave them reeling at 37/3 in 8.5 overs.

Skipper Shahidi then joined Ibrahim in the middle and launched an astounding recovery with an anchoring 103-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Read more: Aqib Javed blames lack of experience for Pakistan’s Champions Trophy exit

The crucial stand culminated in the 30th over when Adil Rashid cleaned up the Afghanistan captain, who scored a cautious 40 off 67 deliveries featuring three boundaries.

Ibrahim was then involved in an important fifth-wicket partnership with Azmatullah Omarzai with the duo adding 82 runs off just 63 balls until the latter fell victim to Jamie Overton in the 40th over.

Omarzai smashed one four and three sixes on his way to a 31-ball 41.

Ibrahim then joined forces with Mohammad Nabi and together they raised a sensational 111-run partnership until the opener finally perished on the first delivery of the final over.

He remained the top-scorer for Afghanistan with 177 off 146 deliveries, studded with 12 fours and six sixes.