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AFG vs ENG Highlights: Zadran, Omarzai's Special Effort Ends England's Campaign In Cut-Throat Encounter

Arnav Chopra

Afghanistan celebrating after ENG win (Source: AP Photos)Afghanistan celebrating after ENG win (Source: AP Photos)

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In an edge-of-the-seat thriller, Afghanistan prevailed against England by eight runs at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore in the 8th match of the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025. Ibrahim Zadran was the star of the show, scoring 177 against the formidable England bowling lineup, while Azmatullah Omarzai picked up a fifer to knock England out of the tournament.

Here’s the timeline of how AFG vs ENG panned out in Lahore:

Shahidi, Zadran Display Class To Neutralize England's Powerplay Effect

It all happened in Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium, where the Afghanistan side opted to bat first against the strong English lineup. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sediqullah Atal were sent back early by Jofra Archer in the fifth over, as Afghanistan were reduced to 15/2.

Soon after, experienced Rahmat Shah had to walk back as well, with Jofra Archer bowling a fiery spell against the Afghan side. 3 down for 37, Afghanistan were in deep trouble, but in came skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi, who, alongside Ibrahim Zadran, displayed their guts with the bat.

Shahidi played 67 deliveries for 40 runs when he was cleaned up by Adil Rashid in the 30th over, while Zadran was the real star of the show for the Afghans. The opener raced to his half-century off 65 deliveries and then, in no time, reached his century in 106 deliveries, giving Afghanistan much-needed hope.

Ibrahim Zadran's Superman Effort Pushes Afghanistan To 325

After Shahidi's dismissal, it was all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai who played a quick-fire 31-ball 41-run knock with three sixes and one four to his name, giving the Shahidi-led side another significant boost in the middle overs.

Whereas on the other hand, there was no stopping Zadran, who was making England pay every penny, as he kept finding boundaries one after the other. When Azmatullah was dismissed in the 40th over, he was then replaced by highly valuable Mohammad Nabi, who proved vital in the death overs once again.

The 40-year-old played 24 deliveries for 40 valuable runs, with three sixes and two fours to his name. However, the real star of the show was Zadran, who notched up a mammoth score of 177 off just 146 deliveries with 12 fours and six sixes to power Afghanistan to 325, losing seven wickets in their 50 overs.

Zadran became the highest scorer ever in the Champions Trophy history with this remarkable score, as Afghanistan were the dominant force in the first half of the game, while English bowlers suffered because of his explosive knock.

Resilient Root Fights While Wickets Tumble From Other End

The game was well in favour of Afghanistan, who had put up a gigantic total, as the English batters came out to bat, chasing 326 in their 50 overs. The innings started with Phil Salt and Jamie Smith getting sent back to the pavilion by 6.1 overs, as England were reduced to 34/2, with trouble building in the camp.

However, opener Ben Duckett, alongside Joe Root, staged a 68-run partnership for the third wicket, after which Duckett was found in front of the stumps by magician Rashid Khan for 38.

On the other end, Root continued to bat as long as he could, keeping his side in the fray in this crucial encounter. In came Harry Brook, who scored 25 and was dismissed by Nabi off his own bowling, while skipper Jos Buttler was sent back for 38, as England were then five down for 269. 

Omarzai's Fifer Shakes England In Final Over Thriller

The English side were going well in the chase when Joe Root, who completed his century off 98 deliveries, was batting on 120 by the 45.5 overs, was rocked by Azmatullah Omarzai, as England suffered another massive blow in the contest.

With seven down, they achieved the 300-run mark in the 47th over, as another 26 were required for victory in the 19 deliveries. The match was getting intense, as the loser would be eliminated. It could have gone either side, with both sides not giving an inch to the opposition in this vital clash.

However, as they say, the powerful may prevail, and that’s precisely what happened in this encounter. The match went down to the absolute wire with 16 required for victory from the last 12 deliveries when Fazalhaq Farooqi delivered a three-run over while picking up a wicket of Jofra Archer.

England were 313 for 9 in 49 overs with 13 more required, and that’s when Azmatullah Omarzai returned to bowl a magnificent final over. He dismissed the final batter, Adil Rashid, on the 5th delivery, knocking England out of the Champions Trophy and taking his fifer on the way. England were bowled out for 317, falling short by eight runs at the end of their innings.