Champions Trophy 2025: Top 3 Performers For Afghanistan’s Historic Win Over England

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Afghanistan registered a thrilling 8-run win over England in a high-scoring encounter played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on 26th February 2025.

After opting to bat first, Afghanistan posted a massive total of 325 for 7 thanks to a marathon knock by Ibrahim Zadran with valuable contributions by Omarzai & Mohammad Nabi.

It was an amazing bowling effort by Afghanistan bowlers as kept picking wickets with Joe Root standing tall. The match went right down the wire as they held onto their nerves to knock England out of the CT 2025.

Here we look at the 3 Top Performers For the Afghanistan historic win over England in the CT 2025 match.

1.      Ibrahim Zadran

Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and decided to bat first. It was not an ideal start for the Afghan side as they lost three quick wickets of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal & Rahmat Shah.

Ibrahim Zadran showed intent against Jofra Archer and Mark Wood after the initial struggle. He looked at ease against Adil Rashid taking singles and hitting positive shots. Zadran completed his fifty off just 65 deliveries to keep the momentum going for Afghanistan.

Zadran upped the ante with attacking shots keeping the momentum going. Captain Shahidi fell trying to hit a reverse sweep. Zadran and Shahidi added 103 runs for the 4th wicket.

Zadran stayed calm, taking singles & completed his century off 106 deliveries. After completing his century, he blasted the England bowlers all over the park against Joe Root and Jofra Archer. He produced some magical shots to complete his 150 off 136 deliveries. Ibrahim played with an array of strokes and was eventually dismissed for 177 in the final over. He went past Duckett’s score of 165 that he posted during the match against Australia at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

Zadran’s innings ensured that Afghanistan posted 325 for 7. His innings comprised with12 fours and 6 sixes. For his match-winning knock, Ibrahim Zadran was named the player of the match award.

2.      Azamatullah Omarzai

Azamatullah Omarzai played a key role with both bat and ball during yesterday’s match. He came to the crease with Afghanistan at 140 for 4. Omarzai showed intent with lusty hits giving great support to Zadran.

Omarzai made the batting look easy on a flat Lahore pitch. He took on England's pace bowlers ensuring that Afghanistan maintained the momentum going. His innings ended with a quickfire knock scoring 41 off 31 deliveries with 1 four and 3 sixes. Omarzai and Zadran added 72 runs for the 5th wicket.

Omarzai showed his skills in the bowling front. He got the breakthrough for Afghanistan dismissing Phil Salt with a lovely delivery. With the partnership between Buttler and Root going on strong, Omarzai dismissed England captain Buttler to give Afghanistan hopes of winning.

Omarzai delivered the goods to get rid of well-set Joe Root. With things looking great for England, Omarzai made an important breakthrough by dismissing Jamie Overton to bring back Afghanistan into the game.

With 13 runs to defend in the final over, Omarzai held onto their nerves to take the wicket of Adil Rashid to finish with 5 wickets. He finished with figures of 5 for 58 in 9.5 overs.

3.      Mohammad Nabi

The veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi produced contributions with the bat and ball. He came to the crease after the fall of Omarzai’s wicket. Nabi played cautious initially before launching an assault on England's bowling.

He made the batting look easy keeping momentum going for Afghanistan hitting lusty hits. It was a sensational knock by the all-rounder smashing quickfire, 40 off 24 deliveries with 2 fours and 3 sixes. Nabi’s innings ensured that Afghanistan posted 325 for 7. Nabi and Zadran added 111 runs for the 6th wicket.

In the bowling department, Nabi looked impressive with his variations. It was an excellent beginning for Nabi as he got rid of Jamie Smith cheaply.

He produced the magic dismissing Harry Brook with a simple return catch to end a 35-run partnership between Root and Brook. Nabi looked impressive with his lines and lengths as Root and Buttler showed intent towards him.

Nabi ended with figures of 2 for 57 in 9 overs. He took two important catches of Jamie Overton and Jofra Archer to help Afghanistan seal a famous win over England.

 


                                       Ibrahim Zadran 177 ensures famous win over England in CT 2025 match at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on 26th Feb 2025 

 

 

 

 

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