Afghanistan continued their remarkable rise in international cricket with a thrilling victory over England in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, knocking them out of semifinal contention. Head coach Jonathan Trott emphasized the team’s growing confidence, stating, “Self-belief is infectious and spreads throughout the squad.”

The match was a roller-coaster, with Afghanistan recovering from a shaky 39/3 start to post a competitive 325, thanks to an outstanding 177 off 146 balls from Ibrahim Zadran—Afghanistan’s highest individual ODI score. Crucial contributions from Hashmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Mohammad Nabi helped the team accelerate, adding 113 runs in the final 10 overs.

Trott praised Zadran’s composure, particularly his partnerships that stabilized and later accelerated the innings. “The way Ibrahim paced his innings was outstanding, and his ability to shift gears seamlessly was key to our total,” said Trott.

England, in response, struggled early but saw Joe Root fight back with his first ODI century since 2019. He kept England in the chase, but Afghanistan’s bowlers kept striking at key moments. With 39 needed off 26 balls, Omarzai removed Root, shifting the momentum. Despite late efforts from Jamie Overton and Jofra Archer, England fell short by 12 runs, with Omarzai sealing the win in a clutch final over.

England captain Jos Buttler admitted that his team struggled in the death overs, conceding 113 runs in the last 10 and failing to provide enough support for Root. He also highlighted Mark Wood’s knee injury as a setback, forcing England to use part-time bowlers in the death.

With this victory, Afghanistan not only secured a famous win but also showcased their growing resilience and ability to deliver under pressure. Their focus now shifts to Australia, as they look to continue their impressive run in the tournament.

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