Lahore, Pakistan – Afghanistan produced one of the most stunning upsets in ICC Champions Trophy 2025, sending the defending champions, England, packing with a sensational performance spearheaded by Zahir Zadran and Ihsanullah Omarzai. In what will be remembered as one of the greatest moments in the competition’s history, Afghanistan stunned England with a well-rounded display of skill, resilience, and composure.
The Match: A Rollercoaster of Emotions
From the start, Afghanistan showed they were not intimidated by England’s star-studded lineup. Afghanistan’s bowlers set the tone with Zadran and Omarzai playing pivotal roles in dismantling England’s batting. Zadran’s bowling was a masterclass in accuracy and pressure, while Omarzai’s pace and youthful exuberance made him an unplayable force.
Zadran, who had been in excellent form throughout the tournament, picked up crucial wickets, including the prized scalp of Jos Buttler, leaving England struggling. His disciplined spin bowling helped Afghanistan create constant pressure, while Omarzai, who has emerged as one of the most exciting fast bowlers of the tournament, kept the English batsmen on their toes with his pace and sharp deliveries.
England’s Struggles: Key Moments
After winning the toss and opting to bat, England found themselves in early trouble. Afghanistan’s bowlers made immediate inroads into their top order, with Ben Stokes and Joe Root failing to make significant contributions. Zadran was the standout performer, taking wickets at key moments, including the dangerous Jos Buttler.
England’s middle order, led by Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone, attempted to rebuild, but Afghanistan’s bowlers were relentless. Every time England looked to accelerate, Afghanistan responded with crucial wickets. Ihsanullah Omarzai, who had earlier wreaked havoc with the ball, finished off the tail, taking the final wickets in the death overs. England’s total of just 208 runs was well below their expectations.
Afghanistan’s Chase: Calm Under Pressure
Chasing a modest total, Afghanistan’s top-order batsmen showed remarkable maturity and composure. Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi gave Afghanistan a solid start, keeping the required run rate under control. The Afghan batsmen played with confidence, never letting the pressure get to them.
Ihsanullah Omarzai, who had earlier shone with the ball, was equally effective with the bat. His contribution helped Afghanistan stay on track as they neared the target. The match turned tense with England taking a few late wickets, but Mohammad Nabi remained calm and steered Afghanistan to a memorable victory, hitting the winning runs with a boundary.
Trott’s Triumph and Afghanistan’s Historic Win
The victory over England marked a historic moment in Afghanistan’s cricketing journey. Under the guidance of head coach Jonathan Trott, the team has emerged as a force to be reckoned with. Trott’s influence has been visible in the way Afghanistan plays – aggressive, confident, and resilient.
In his post-match interview, Trott reflected on the significance of the win: “This is a massive win for us. It’s proof that Afghanistan belongs at the top level. Zadran and Omarzai were exceptional, but this was a team effort. We’ve worked hard for this, and it’s a well-deserved reward for the players.”
He continued, “This is just the beginning. We’re not here to participate; we’re here to win. We’ll take this momentum forward.”
Key Performances:
- Zahir Zadran (Afghanistan): 4 wickets for 31 runs – A sensational spell that broke England’s back, with key wickets at critical moments.
- Ihsanullah Omarzai (Afghanistan): 3 wickets for 40 runs – His pace was too much for England, and his wickets in the death overs helped seal the victory.
- Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan): 45* not out – A calm and composed innings that guided Afghanistan over the line in the chase.
- Ben Stokes (England): 18 runs – A rare failure for the all-rounder, dismissed early under pressure.
- Joe Root (England): 23 runs – Struggled against Afghanistan’s tight bowling, unable to break free.
Afghanistan’s Rise in World Cricket
Afghanistan’s victory over England is a watershed moment in their cricketing history. The win not only secured them a place in the Champions Trophy 2025 knockout stages but also sent a clear message to the cricket world: Afghanistan is no longer an underdog.
The performances of Rashid Khan, Zadran, and Omarzai are testament to the talent Afghanistan now possesses. This victory solidifies Afghanistan’s position as a legitimate contender in world cricket, one capable of taking down cricketing giants.
Looking Ahead: The Road to the Knockouts
As Afghanistan heads into the knockout stages, the team’s belief and confidence have reached new heights. The victory over England has shown that Afghanistan can compete with the best, and they will no longer be viewed as mere participants.
With their focus firmly set on the next challenges, Afghanistan is ready to continue their journey in the tournament. If they maintain their form, they could go deep into the tournament, further cementing their place among the world’s elite cricketing nations.
Afghanistan has shown that they are not here to simply compete – they are here to win. The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has a new contender, and the future of Afghan cricket has never looked brighter.