Afghanistan delivered a stunning upset against England, clinching an 8-run victory in their ICC Champions Trophy Group B clash in Lahore on Wednesday. Chasing a target of 326, England was bowled out for 317 in 49.5 overs, resulting in their elimination from the tournament.
England’s Joe Root shone with the bat, scoring his first ODI century in six years. Root’s 120 off 111 deliveries included 11 boundaries and one six. Despite his valiant effort, it wasn’t enough to guide England to victory.
Azmatullah Omarzai played a pivotal role for Afghanistan, claiming three wickets, including the crucial dismissal of the well-settled Root.
Earlier, Afghanistan opener Ibrahim Zadran created history with a breathtaking knock of 177 runs off 146 balls, registering the highest individual score in ICC Champions Trophy history, surpassing England’s Ben Duckett’s previous record of 165. Zadran’s innings powered Afghanistan to a formidable 325/7 in their allotted 50 overs.
Zadran’s feat is a landmark achievement for Afghanistan cricket, as he became:
✅ The first Afghan player to score a century in the ICC Champions Trophy
✅ The first Afghan batter to score a century in any ICC event
This historic win marks a significant milestone for Afghanistan, showcasing their growing prowess on the global cricket stage.