In a high-voltage clash at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Afghanistan defeated England by 8 runs to eliminate the defending champions from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Afghan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and elected to bat first — a decision that paid off handsomely.
Batting first, Afghanistan posted an imposing 325 for 7 in 50 overs. Although Rahmanullah Gurbaz (6), Sediqullah (4), and Rahmat Shah (4) fell cheaply, opener Ibrahim Zadran produced a masterclass, scoring a breathtaking 177 off 146 balls, including 12 fours and 6 sixes. He was eventually dismissed in the final over, but not before anchoring the Afghan innings brilliantly. Contributions from Hashmatullah Shahidi (40), Mohammad Nabi (40 off 24), and Azmatullah Omarzai (41 off 31) added vital runs to the total.
In reply, England fought hard but were bowled out for 317 runs on the fifth ball of the final over. Joe Root’s classy 120-run knock kept England in the contest, but wickets at crucial moments derailed the chase. For England, Jofra Archer impressed with 3 wickets, while Liam Livingstone (2) and Adil Rashid (1) chipped in.
With this stunning victory, Afghanistan not only scripted history with one of their biggest wins on the global stage but also ended England’s Champions Trophy campaign in dramatic fashion.
