In a thrilling encounter of the ICC Champions Trophy, Afghanistan set a formidable target of 326 runs for England, courtesy of a magnificent century by young batting sensation Ibrahim Zadran. The match, held at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, saw Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi winning the toss and opting to bat first—a decision that turned out to be highly rewarding.
A Rocky Start for Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s innings had a shaky beginning as they lost early wickets. Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran started cautiously, but Gurbaz fell cheaply for just six runs. Shortly after, Siddiqullah also departed for only four runs, leaving Afghanistan struggling at 15 for 2. The troubles continued when Rahmat Shah was dismissed by Jofra Archer after scoring just four runs.
Ibrahim Zadran Anchors the Innings with a Sensational Knock
With Afghanistan reeling at 15/3, it was Ibrahim Zadran who stepped up and delivered a record-breaking performance. The 23-year-old opener showcased remarkable composure and stroke play, leading Afghanistan’s fightback with a stunning 177-run innings off just 146 balls. His magnificent knock, which featured 12 fours and 6 sixes, became the highest individual score for Afghanistan in ODI cricket, surpassing his own previous record of 162 runs.
Zadran’s innings also marked a historic milestone as he became the first Afghan player to score a century in the ICC Champions Trophy. Additionally, his 177-run masterpiece became the highest individual score in the history of the tournament, overtaking the previous record set by England’s Ben Duckett (166 runs against Australia).
Middle-Order Contributions Boost Afghanistan’s Total
While Zadran stole the show, he received valuable support from other Afghan batsmen. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi played a steady knock of 40 runs, while veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi provided fireworks with a quick 40 off 24 balls. Azmatullah Omarzai also made a crucial contribution, scoring 41 runs off 31 balls, ensuring Afghanistan reached a competitive total of 325/7 in their allotted 50 overs.
England’s Bowling Performance
Despite Ibrahim Zadran’s dominance, England bowlers tried to put up a fight. Jofra Archer led the bowling attack, taking three wickets, including the crucial scalps of Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi. Liam Livingstone chipped in with two wickets, while Adil Rashid managed to pick up one wicket. However, England struggled to contain the Afghan batters in the latter part of the innings, allowing them to post an imposing total.
A Historic Moment for Afghanistan Cricket
Afghanistan’s batting display, particularly Ibrahim Zadran’s heroics, has been a defining moment for their cricket history. With a target of 326 runs set for England, the stage is now set for an exciting run chase. If Afghanistan’s bowlers can back up their batters’ efforts, they stand a strong chance of pulling off a historic victory against the defending champions.
Stay tuned to witness whether Afghanistan can defend their total or if England will chase down the massive target in this thrilling ICC Champions Trophy clash!
