Champions Trophy: Ibrahim Zadran's Historic 177 Fuels Afghanistan to 325/7 Against England

Lahore, Feb 26 (NationPress) Ibrahim Zadran's remarkable 177 – the highest individual score in Champions Trophy history – led Afghanistan to an impressive 325/7 in 50 overs during their crucial Group B match against England at the Gaddafi Stadium. This also marks the highest total for Afghanistan in ICC events. With elimination looming, England faces a significant challenge, as the highest target ever pursued against Afghanistan in an ODI is 314 by Sri Lanka in Pallekele in 2022.

England made early breakthroughs with Jofra Archer’s explosive new-ball spell, reducing Afghanistan to 37/3. However, a pivotal 103-run partnership between Zadran and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi stabilized the innings. Late contributions from Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi propelled Afghanistan to a solid finish, as England’s bowling attack struggled, conceding 113 runs in the final 10 overs.

After choosing to bat first, Afghanistan’s top order displayed resilience despite early setbacks, managing to post a competitive total by the 40-over mark. England’s fast bowlers, especially Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, set the tone early with fiery spells. Afghanistan’s openers took a cautious approach, navigating through a challenging powerplay where England applied relentless pressure.

Archer was the standout performer in the initial overs, claiming two wickets in quick succession. He first dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz (6), who inside-edged an inswinger onto his stumps, then trapped Sediqullah Atal (4) lbw in the same over. Rahmat Shah (4) soon followed, top-edging a pull shot to Adil Rashid, marking Archer’s third wicket and making him the fastest England bowler to reach 50 wickets in just 30 matches, surpassing James Anderson's record of 31 matches.

At 37 for 3, Afghanistan was in serious trouble, but Ibrahim Zadran and Hashmatullah Shahidi led a recovery. The duo played cautiously at first, avoiding further setbacks. Ibrahim reached his fifty off 65 balls, striking three fours and two sixes. Hashmatullah provided vital support, and their partnership brought much-needed stability.

The turning point arrived in the 25th over when Afghanistan’s batsmen shifted gears. Jamie Overton’s reintroduction into the attack was met with aggression from Zadran, who dispatched him for a six and two fours in a single over. The 103-run partnership between Zadran and Hashmatullah was crucial, but England secured a breakthrough soon after as Adil Rashid dismissed Hashmatullah for 40 with a well-disguised slider that rattled the stumps.

Mark Wood, who had earlier limped off with a knee issue, made a determined return in the 34th over. Although he appeared slightly restricted in movement, his pace remained threatening, clocking over 140kph in a tidy comeback spell. Despite England’s efforts, Afghanistan continued their recovery, with Ibrahim reaching his century off 106 balls—his sixth ODI hundred—anchoring the innings effectively.

Azmatullah Omarzai provided a vital boost in the middle overs, smashing a straight-driven six and increasing the scoring rate. His partnership of 72 with Zadran helped Afghanistan cross 200 in the 37th over. However, his aggressive approach led to his downfall, as he miscued a slower ball from Overton to long-on, departing for 41.

Wood, already battling visible discomfort, ultimately succumbed to a knee injury after bowling his eighth over, leaving England even more depleted in their bowling resources. Shortly after, Liam Livingstone, a key all-round option, hobbled off after tweaking his knee while fielding.

Ibrahim Zadran, in exceptional form, continued his assault, collecting a trio of twos and reaching an astounding 150, with more to come. Ben Duckett’s tournament-best 165 against Australia was suddenly at risk of being overshadowed. Mohammad Nabi then launched Joe Root for back-to-back sixes over deep midwicket, followed by a misfield from Duckett at point that gifted Afghanistan four additional runs. Root’s over concluded with a commanding drive through the covers from Ibrahim Zadran, capping off a massive 23-run over.

Livingstone's return to the field offered England a much-needed boost, but Jos Buttler likely didn’t expect him to bowl the final over of the innings. To his credit, Livingstone held his nerve, inducing a slog-sweep from Ibrahim Zadran that ended a breathtaking knock of 177 from 146 balls—Afghanistan’s highest individual ODI score. Mohammad Nabi followed shortly after, holing out for a crucial 40 off 24 balls, as England wrapped up the innings with a semblance of control.

Summary: Afghanistan 325/7 in 50 overs (Ibrahim Zadran 177, Azmatullah Omarzai 41; Jofra Archer 3-64, Adil Rashid 1-60) against England.