New Delhi: Afghanistan secured a thrilling eight-run victory over England Wednesday at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, eliminating Jos Buttler’s team from the ICC Champions Trophy.
This triumph marks Afghanistan’s second win over England in an ICC 50-over tournament after their success against the team in the 2023 World Cup in India. The consistent performances demonstrate Afghanistan’s determination to make history and defeat top cricketing nations.
England and Afghanistan faced off in a must-win match for both teams, crucial for their semi-final hopes in the Champions Trophy. The encounter, according to fans, was the first closely contested match of the tournament, going until the very end. The 300+ runs scored in both innings and the exceptional bowling efforts, topped with a hundred from a batsman from each team, made this game memorable for fans.
Afghanistan chose to bat first and posted a formidable 325/7 in their 50 overs, mainly due to Ibrahim Zadran’s sensational 177 off 146 balls. The 23-year-old opener anchored the innings with a batting masterclass, showcasing exquisite stroke play that enabled Afghanistan to set a challenging target for England.
Zadran also made history by recording the highest individual score in the history of the ICC Champions Trophy, breaking the record of 165 runs set by England’s Ben Duckett.
Joe Root was the star for England in their 326-run chase, hitting 120 from 111 balls for his 17th ODI ton—his first since the 2019 World Cup. Root’s steady tempo kept England on the track for a while. However, ICC ODI cricketer of the year 2024, Azmatullah Omarzai, eventually dismissed Root with a lively effort. He claimed five wickets in total in the match. An impressive all-rounder, Omarzai also played a vital role with the bat, scoring 41 from 31 balls to help Afghanistan regain momentum.
England was on the verge of completing the chase, but they faltered under pressure, ultimately succumbing to Afghanistan. This collapse has drawn criticism from fans and cricket experts alike.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri posted a strong message for England on his X account, urging them to take cricket played in the sub-continent more seriously.
“Afghanistan. You guys rock. Kammaaal Kaardi. For England. Take playing in the sub-continent seriously with no excuses. Only then will you be recognised as a Team that can TRAVEL #AFGvENG #ChampionsTrophy2025,” wrote Shastri on X.
In the build-up to the Champions Trophy, England had contemplated boycotting their match against Afghanistan due to concerns over the stance of the Afghan government on women’s cricket.
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Second time around
A similar humbling experience had befallen England at the hands of Afghanistan in the 2023 World Cup in India. At Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium, Afghanistan engineered a massive upset, shocking the defending champions with a 69-run victory.
England and Afghanistan had clashed three times in ODI World Cups, with England holding a slender 2-1 advantage. However, Afghanistan’s recent win levelled the overall head-to-head record in ICC ODI 50-over tournaments, with both teams now having won two matches each.
Afghanistan’s win over England may raise eyebrows, but it is a testament to the team’s growth. Just a few years ago, they were considered the underdogs. Every game they won against a major team was called an ‘upset’. However, their recent performances have been a far cry from their humble beginnings.
Jonathan Trott, the Afghanistan head coach and the pivotal figure behind the cricketing team’s rise, said “Afghanistan (is) never going to be taken lightly again” after his team knocked England out of the Champions Trophy. “What happened in the World Cup, T20 World Cup, and [now], I say this to the players: Afghanistan’s never going to be taken lightly ever again,” he emphasised in the post-match press conference.
“In the past, perhaps people would have seen the fixture and thought it was a little bit easier than playing a historic Test nation,” he said. “But in this format and these conditions, I do not see that. I see every game that we play is going to be competitive, and every game we go into, I expect to win. Australia are not going to take us lightly.”
The rise & rise continue
Achieving ICC full member status as late as 2017, the Afghanistan cricket team has risen, and that has been nothing less than impressive. Having participated in three ODI World Cups since 2015 and several T20 World Cups, the country has achieved remarkable feats, including defeating established Test nations.
Such ‘upsets’ at ICC events include beating West Indies, champions of the 2016 T20 World Cup, by six runs; beating England, defending champions at the 2023 World Cup, by 69 runs; beating Pakistan at the 2023 World Cup by eight wickets, beating Sri Lanka at the 2023 World Cup by seven wickets, beating New Zealand at the 2024 T20 World Cup by 84 runs, beating Australia at the 2024 T20 World Cup by 21 runs, and again beating England at the 2025 Champions Trophy by eight runs.
With England now eliminated from the Champions Trophy, Australia, South Africa, and Afghanistan remain in the running for the two semi-final spots from Group A.
Currently third, with one win from two games and a net run rate of 0.160, Afghanistan must secure a win against Australia in their final group match to advance. Another ‘upset’ victory would propel them and South Africa into the semi-finals.
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
Also Read: Champions Trophy a tough test but no dearth of promise or potential from an imperfect Bangladesh