Afghanistan Knocks England Out, Keeping Semifinal Hopes Alive
In a thrilling Champions Trophy match at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, Afghanistan stunned England with a remarkable victory, knocking them out of the tournament. This win keeps Afghanistan’s hopes of reaching the semifinals alive. Their next big challenge is a match against Australia on Friday. On Wednesday, Afghanistan set a massive target of 325 runs, thanks to a brilliant 177-run innings by Ibrahim Zadran. England fell short, scoring 317 runs, despite a strong 120-run effort from Joe Root.
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Controversy Surrounds the Match, But Afghani Shines
Before the game, the match had already sparked controversy. Over 150 UK politicians had urged the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to boycott games over concerns about women’s rights in the country. However, due to ICC rules, the match went ahead. Afghanistan’s victory over England has now been tied to this ongoing debate.
Zadran Sets a New Record in Champions Trophy
Ibrahim Zadran made history by breaking the record for the highest individual score in the Champions Trophy. His 177 runs surpassed Ben Duckett’s previous record of 165. Zadran also became the first Afghan batsman to score a century in the tournament. For his outstanding performance, he was named the Player of the Match.
England’s chase never gained momentum. Early wickets fell, with Phil Salt and Jamie Smith both getting out cheaply. Despite Joe Root’s valiant effort, Afghan bowlers kept the pressure on, with Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, and Mohammad Nabi playing key roles. Root’s 120 runs were not enough, as England ended up 8 runs short.
Shoaib Akhtar Praises Afghanistan’s Intent
The victory sparked conversation in Pakistan, where the national team had already been eliminated. Former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar praised Afghanistan’s approach in a video message, saying, “I’m impressed with their maturity and passion. they are playing with great intent. We can learn a lot from them.”
Akhtar even joked that he hoped to see Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan in the semifinals, but sadly, Pakistan was out. He also shared on X (formerly Twitter), “Afghanistan gave England a tough fight today.” Akhtar emphasized that their rise in cricket was impressive, even though they are relatively new to Test cricket.
Former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri expressed his thoughts, saying, “Afghanistan, you guys have done an incredible job. To England, I’d say, take the game in this subcontinent seriously, without any excuses. Only then will you be known as a team that can win anywhere.”
A user suggested that Afghanistan’s batsmen are teaching Pakistan a valuable lesson in playing smart cricket.
Meanwhile, another user mentioned that Afghanistan’s team is dominating in Lahore, with the Champions Trophy heading towards its peak.
A Rising Force
Their rise in international cricket has been rapid. This is the first time they’ve participated in the Champions Trophy, replacing Sri Lanka, who didn’t qualify. The win over England has certainly put Afghanistan on the map as a team to watch. With both Pakistan and Bangladesh now out of the tournament, only India and Afghan team remain as the Asian representatives.
