Afghanistan pulled off a historic victory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, defeating England by 8 runs in a high-intensity clash at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. The packed stadium, filled with passionate Afghan supporters, witnessed an unforgettable match as Afghanistan posted a competitive total despite early setbacks. Their middle order played a crucial role in stabilizing the innings, setting England a challenging target. In response, England started strong but crumbled under pressure in the final overs, struggling against Afghanistan’s disciplined spin attack.
Key moments included a crucial late-order partnership that lifted Afghanistan’s total and a game-changing bowling spell that dismantled England’s chase. As wickets fell at critical junctures, Afghanistan’s bowlers kept their composure to close out a famous win. This victory not only secured their place in the knockout stages but also cemented their rise as a formidable force in world cricket, marking one of the most thrilling upsets in Champions Trophy history.
Match Overview
- Date: February 26, 2025
- Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan
- Result: Afghanistan won by 8 runs
- Toss: Afghanistan won and opted to bat first
- Player of the Match: Ibrahim Zadran (177 runs off 146 balls)
Afghanistan set a challenging target of 326 runs, powered by a sensational innings from Ibrahim Zadran. In response, England fought hard with a century from Joe Root but fell just short, ending their tournament campaign.
Venue and Atmosphere
Gaddafi Stadium, one of Pakistan’s premier cricket venues, hosted this crucial match. With a seating capacity of 27,000, the stadium was packed with enthusiastic supporters from both teams. The Afghan fans, in particular, created an electrifying atmosphere, passionately cheering every boundary and wicket. England’s supporters, though outnumbered, remained vocal and supportive throughout the game.
Afghanistan’s Batting Performance – First Innings
Afghanistan faced early trouble after losing three quick wickets for just 37 runs, putting them under immense pressure. However, opener Ibrahim Zadran played a sensational innings, anchoring the innings with a record-breaking 177-run knock—the highest individual score in ICC Champions Trophy history. His brilliance at the crease stabilized Afghanistan’s innings and turned the momentum in their favor. He received crucial support from Hashmatullah Shahidi (40 off 55 balls), Azmatullah Omarzai (41 off 32 balls), and Mohammad Nabi (40 off 24 balls), who accelerated the scoring rate in the final overs. Their collective effort propelled Afghanistan to a formidable 325/7 in 50 overs, setting England a stiff target.
Despite England’s early success with the ball, their bowlers struggled to contain Zadran’s masterclass. Jofra Archer (3/55) and Adil Rashid (2/48) were the standout performers, while Mark Wood (1/60) managed a breakthrough but proved expensive.
Afghanistan Batting Summary
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
| Ibrahim Zadran | 177 | 150 | 15 | 6 |
| Hashmatullah Shahidi | 40 | 55 | 3 | 0 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 41 | 32 | 4 | 1 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 40 | 24 | 2 | 3 |
| Others | 27 | – | – | – |
| Total | 325/7 | 50 overs | – | – |
England’s Bowling Performance
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
| Jofra Archer | 10 | 55 | 3 | 5.50 |
| Adil Rashid | 10 | 48 | 2 | 4.80 |
| Mark Wood | 10 | 60 | 1 | 6.00 |
| Others | 20 | 162 | 1 | – |
Afghanistan’s commanding total set the stage for a thrilling second innings, leaving England with a steep chase ahead.
England’s Chase – Second Innings
England, chasing a challenging 326-run target, needed a strong start but stumbled early, losing key wickets in the powerplay. Despite the setbacks, Joe Root anchored the innings with a magnificent 120 off 111 balls, keeping England in the hunt. However, the lack of substantial partnerships hurt their momentum. Jos Buttler (38 off 35 balls) and Harry Brook (44 off 48 balls) provided resistance, but Afghanistan’s disciplined bowling kept England under pressure.
The match reached a thrilling climax, with England requiring 15 runs from the final 12 balls. However, Azmatullah Omarzai’s exceptional death bowling turned the tide, dismissing crucial lower-order batsmen and securing a famous win for Afghanistan. England was ultimately bowled out for 317 in 49.5 overs, falling just 8 runs short of the target. Omarzai 5/58, along with vital contributions from Mohammad Nabi (2/45) and Rashid Khan (1/50), played a decisive role in Afghanistan’s triumph.
England Batting Summary
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
| Joe Root | 120 | 111 | 10 | 2 |
| Jos Buttler | 38 | 35 | 4 | 1 |
| Harry Brook | 44 | 48 | 5 | 0 |
| Others | 115 | – | – | – |
| Total | 317 all out | 49.5 overs | – | – |
Afghanistan’s Bowling Performance
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 9.5 | 58 | 5 | 5.89 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 10 | 45 | 2 | 4.50 |
| Rashid Khan | 10 | 50 | 1 | 5.00 |
| Others | 20 | 164 | 2 | – |
Omarzai’s match-winning five-wicket haul and Afghanistan’s composure under pressure sealed one of the most remarkable victories in Champions Trophy history.
Match Summary: Afghanistan vs England – ICC Champions Trophy 2025
| Category | Afghanistan | England |
| Total Score | 325/7 (50 overs) | 317 all out (49.5 overs) |
| Top Scorer | Ibrahim Zadran – 177 (150) | Joe Root – 120 (111) |
| Other Contributions | Hashmatullah Shahidi – 40 (55) Azmatullah Omarzai – 41 (32) Mohammad Nabi – 40 (24) | Jos Buttler – 38 (35) Harry Brook – 44 (48) |
| Best Bowler | Azmatullah Omarzai – 5/58 | Jofra Archer – 3/55 |
| Other Bowlers | Mohammad Nabi – 2/45 Rashid Khan – 1/50 | Adil Rashid – 2/48 Mark Wood – 1/60 |
| Key Moments | Ibrahim Zadran’s record 177-run knock Omarzai’s five-wicket haul | Joe Root’s fighting century England’s collapse in death overs |
| Match Result | Afghanistan won by 8 runs | — |
Afghanistan’s thrilling victory, powered by Zadran’s historic innings and Omarzai’s sensational bowling, secured their spot in the knockout stages, marking one of the most memorable wins in ICC Champions Trophy history.
Key Moments of the Match
- Ibrahim Zadran’s Record-Breaking Knock – Zadran’s 177-run innings was the backbone of Afghanistan’s total, setting a new record for the highest individual score in ICC Champions Trophy history. His brilliance at the crease provided Afghanistan with a formidable total.
- Omarzai’s All-Round Show – Azmatullah Omarzai played a crucial role in both departments, contributing 41 runs with the bat before turning the game with a sensational 5-wicket haul, including key dismissals in the death overs.
- Joe Root’s Lone Battle – England’s chase revolved around Root’s resilient 120 off 111 balls, but the lack of partnerships at the other end proved costly as wickets kept falling at crucial moments.
- Final Over Drama – With 10 runs needed from the last over, England had a chance to pull off a win. However, Omarzai’s tight and composed bowling shut them down, securing a historic victory for Afghanistan.
FAQs
Who won the AFG vs ENG ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match?
Afghanistan won by 8 runs.
Who was the Player of the Match?
Ibrahim Zadran, for his record-breaking 177 runs.
Where was the match held?
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan.
How did this match affect England’s tournament chances?
The loss eliminated England from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
What was the turning point of the match?
Azmatullah Omarzai’s five-wicket haul, including crucial wickets in the death overs.
Conclusion
Afghanistan’s victory over England in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was a landmark moment in their cricketing history. Zadran’s extraordinary innings, combined with Omarzai’s exceptional bowling, proved decisive in securing a thrilling win. England, on the other hand, faces serious questions about their strategy and form. This match not only reinforced Afghanistan’s rising stature in world cricket but also highlighted the unpredictability and excitement of the sport.
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