In a thrilling encounter at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Afghanistan edged out England by a narrow margin of eight runs, securing a crucial victory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. This win not only kept Afghanistan’s semi-final hopes alive but also eliminated England from the tournament.
The match was a must-win for both teams, each having lost their opening fixtures. Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran stole the show with a phenomenal 177 runs, setting a strong foundation for his team. Afghanistan posted a competitive total of 325/7, which proved challenging for England to chase down.
Despite a spirited effort from the English batters, Afghanistan’s bowlers, particularly AzmatullahOmarzai, who took five wickets, managed to restrict them to 317/9. This victory marked a significant upset, as England had been favored to win due to their strong batting lineup. However, Afghanistan’s spin attack, led by Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad, proved decisive in the end. The win has injected new life into Afghanistan’s campaign, while England’s early exit will be a disappointment for their fans.