Lahore, Pakistan – Afghanistan delivered one of the most stunning upsets in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as they sent England packing from the tournament with a remarkable performance led by Zahir Zadran and Ihsanullah Omarzai. In a match that will go down as one of the most dramatic moments in the competition’s history, Afghanistan defeated the defending champions, England, in a thrilling contest that had fans on the edge of their seats.
The Match: A Rollercoaster of Emotions
From the very first ball, it was clear that Afghanistan wasn’t going to be intimidated by England’s big-name players. Afghanistan’s bowlers were on the money, with Zahir Zadran and Ihsanullah Omarzai playing key roles in dismantling England’s batting lineup.
Zadran, who had been in scintillating form throughout the tournament, brought his A-game to the fore, taking crucial wickets and building pressure with his disciplined spin bowling. His ability to bowl in the right areas and create chances was a constant threat to the English batters.
Meanwhile, Ihsanullah Omarzai, the young fast bowler, continued his rapid rise as one of the tournament’s most exciting talents. His pace and accuracy proved too much for the English batters, and his wickets at critical moments helped Afghanistan secure a famous victory.
England’s Struggles: The Key Moments
After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, England found themselves in early trouble as Afghanistan’s bowlers made quick inroads into their top order. With Ben Stokes and Joe Root failing to make significant contributions, the pressure mounted. Zadran was the standout bowler, picking up key wickets, including the prized scalp of Jos Buttler, which left England reeling.
The middle order, led by Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone, attempted to rebuild the innings, but Afghanistan’s bowlers were relentless. Every time England tried to accelerate, they found themselves bogged down, and wickets kept tumbling. Omarzai was particularly devastating in the death overs, cleaning up the tail with his pace and accuracy.
In the end, England were restricted to a modest total, falling short of expectations with just 208 runs on the board.
Afghanistan’s Chase: Calm Under Pressure
In response, Afghanistan faced a challenging chase, but their experienced top-order, including Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi, ensured that they got off to a solid start. England’s bowlers, although experienced, struggled to contain the Afghan batsmen, who played with a lot of maturity and composure.
Ihsanullah Omarzai, who had been pivotal with the ball, was equally influential with the bat, contributing valuable runs in the chase. The Afghan batters, led by Najeeb Tarakai, made steady progress and kept the required run rate under control.
England fought back with some late wickets, but Afghanistan’s resilience proved too strong. The final push came from Mohammad Nabi, whose calm and composed innings guided Afghanistan to victory. He hit the winning runs with a boundary, and the crowd erupted in celebration.
Trott’s Triumph and Afghanistan’s Historic Win
The win not only secured Afghanistan’s place in the Champions Trophy 2025 but also marked a significant milestone in the team’s history. Under the guidance of head coach Jonathan Trott, Afghanistan has evolved into a team that can take on the best and come out victorious.
In his post-match comments, Trott was visibly proud of his team. “We’ve shown what Afghanistan is capable of today. This is a massive win for us, and it’s proof that we belong at the top level. Zadran and Omarzai were outstanding, but it was a team effort. We’ve been working hard for this moment, and it’s a great reward for the players’ hard work.”
Trott continued, “This is just the beginning. We’ve come a long way, and we’re not here just to participate. We’re here to win, and we’ll take this momentum forward.”
Key Performances:
- Zahir Zadran (Afghanistan): 4 wickets for 31 runs – A match-changing spell that helped Afghanistan put the brakes on England’s innings.
- Ihsanullah Omarzai (Afghanistan): 3 wickets for 40 runs – His pace and precision proved too much for the English batting line-up.
- Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan): 45 not out – A calm, composed innings that steered Afghanistan over the line in the chase.
- Ben Stokes (England): 18 runs – A rare failure for the all-rounder, who was dismissed early under pressure.
- Joe Root (England): 23 runs – Struggled to get going, as Afghanistan’s bowlers maintained tight control.
Afghanistan’s Rise in World Cricket
This victory has sent shockwaves through the cricket world. Afghanistan has long been a rising force, but this win over England has truly placed them among the elite in world cricket. Their progress over the past few years, coupled with individual brilliance from players like Rashid Khan, Zadran, and Omarzai, has earned them the respect of the global cricket community.
With this win, Afghanistan has proven they are not just participants in the ICC Champions Trophy – they are legitimate contenders. The upset over England will go down in history as one of the most significant moments in Afghanistan’s cricketing journey.
Looking Ahead: The Road to the Knockouts
Afghanistan now heads into the knockout stages with their heads held high. The team’s belief, energy, and cohesion have been palpable, and they are ready to take on any challenge that comes their way. If they continue to play with the same intensity and skill, they could very well surprise many and go deep into the tournament.
Afghanistan’s win over England in CT25 has made a statement: they are no longer the underdogs. The world is now watching a team that is here to compete and win. The future of Afghan cricket has never looked brighter.