Lahore: Afghanistan opener Ibrahim Zadran played a stellar knock, scoring 177 runs to help his team set a formidable 326-run target against England in the eighth match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Wednesday.
Afghanistan’s captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, opted to bat first, and the decision proved beneficial as the team posted a competitive total of 325/7 in their allotted 50 overs.
However, the innings had a shaky start as England’s Jofra Archer dismantled the top order with three quick wickets, reducing Afghanistan to 37/3 in just 8.5 overs.
At this crucial moment, captain Shahidi stepped in and, alongside Ibrahim, led a remarkable recovery with a crucial 103-run stand for the fourth wicket.
The partnership ended in the 30th over when Adil Rashid bowled Shahidi, who scored a cautious 40 off 67 balls, including three boundaries.
Ibrahim then built another crucial 82-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Azmatullah Omarzai, who contributed a quick 41 off 31 balls, hitting one four and three sixes before being dismissed by Jamie Overton in the 40th over.
Following this, Ibrahim and Mohammad Nabi put up a sensational 111-run stand before the opener was finally dismissed on the first ball of the last over.
Ibrahim remained Afghanistan’s top scorer with a remarkable 177 off 146 balls, smashing 12 fours and six sixes.
Nabi also played a blistering knock, scoring 40 off just 24 balls with two fours and three sixes before getting out two deliveries later.
For England, Jofra Archer was the most successful bowler, picking up three wickets for 64 runs in his 10 overs. Liam Livingstone claimed two wickets, while Jamie Overton and Adil Rashid bagged one each.
Playing XIs:
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
England: Philip Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith (wk), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c), Liam Livingstone, Jofra Archer, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.
