Ibrahim Zadran Becomes 1st Afghan To Score A Century In Champions Trophy

Ibrahim Zadran slammed a flamboyant ton [Source: AP]

Afghanistan's experienced opener Ibrahim Zadran scripted history as he became the first-ever batter from his country to score a century in the ICC Champions Trophy. The dashing batter achieved the milestone in Afghanistan's second group-stage encounter against England at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium. 

Ibrahim Zadran Punishes England With A Sensational Ton

After captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and opted to bat first, Afghanistan suffered a huge setback, losing Rahmanullah Gurbaz cheaply for six runs. Sediqullah Atal and the dependable Rahmat Shah also recorded single-digit scores, letting Afghanistan down in this must-win affair. 

However, Ibrahim Zadran kept his composure and played a flamboyant knock for the Afghans. He stitched a valuable 103-run stand with skipper Shahidi for the fourth wicket before Adil Rashid bamboozled the latter with a beauty. 

Ibrahim kept fighting for Afghanistan at the other end, scoring a sublime hundred in the high-octane match. He hit the three-figure mark in 106 deliveries, becoming the first-ever Afghanistan batter to score a century in the history of the ICC Champions Trophy. 

Afghanistan Race Towards A Challenging Total

Despite Gurbaz, Rahmat and Atal's failures, Afghanistan have breached the 200-run mark, thanks to Ibrahim's ton and valuable knocks from Shahidi and Azmatullah Omarzai. As of writing, the Afghans were 209 for four in 38.2 overs, with Ibrahim and Azmat batting on 108* and 39*, respectively. 

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