Ibrahim Zadran’s brilliant 177 and Azmatullah Omarzai’s five wickets led Afghanistan to an exhilarating 8-run victory over England, eliminating the latter from the Champions Trophy. England, struggling with two losses, must face South Africa next. Afghanistan, now with two points, needs to beat Australia to advance. England’s chase faltered early, managing 317 all out despite Joe Root’s confident 120 off 111 balls, aided by partnerships with Ben Duckett and Jos Buttler. Zadran’s innings, supported by Hashmathullah Shahidi and Azmatullah Omarzai, helped Afghanistan score 325. England’s bowlers, particularly Jofra Archer, faced challenges, and Mark Wood’s injury added to their woes.
Ibrahim Zadran’s splendid 177 and pacer Azmatullah Omarzai’s five-wicket haul overshadowed Joe Root’s brilliant century, as the resilient Afghanistan secured a nail-biting 8-run victory, eliminating a lackluster England from the Champions Trophy on Wednesday. England, still searching for their first win after two matches, faces South Africa in their final league match in Group B, while Afghanistan now has two points and must defeat Australia in their last group match to keep their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals alive. England’s chase started slowly after losing Phil Salt and Jamie Smith early on, finding themselves at 30 for two. They ultimately collapsed to 317 all out, just one ball to spare, as Omarzai (5/58) struck at key moments.
Root’s innings (120 runs off 111 balls, including 11 fours and 1 six) provided stability for England as he formed two partnerships: adding 68 runs with Ben Duckett (38), who was dropped on 29, for the third wicket, and then an 83-run stand with captain Jos Buttler for the fifth wicket.
While these partnerships weren’t explosive, they kept England in the game, maintaining proximity to the required run rate.
However, the dismissals of Duckett and Buttler halted the momentum, forcing Root to carry the team’s batting efforts alone.
Root’s innings was skillful; he seldom played aggressively yet maintained a strike rate near 100, occasionally surpassing it.
Amidst his innings, he showcased elegant strokes such as a reverse sweep for four off wrist spinner Noor Ahmad and a scoop six behind the wicket off Fazalhaq Farooqi.
He reached his 17th ODI century with a single off Rashid Khan, appearing set to continue, but a tired ramp shot off Omarzai ended his innings, caught by keeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
Jamie Overton (32 runs off 28 balls) proved to be another valuable contributor, adding 54 runs for the seventh wicket before falling to Omarzai, concluding England’s campaign in the tournament.
Earlier, Zadran’s exceptional batting helped Afghanistan post 325 for seven.
Zadran’s magnificent innings came off 146 balls (12 fours and 6 sixes), supported by skipper Hashmathullah Shahidi (40 runs off 67 balls with 3 fours), with whom he shared a 103-run partnership for the fourth wicket, and Azmatullah Omarzai (41 runs off 31 balls), with whom he added 72 runs for the fifth wicket.
He also partnered with Mohammed Nabi (40 runs off 24 balls), adding 111 runs for the sixth wicket, putting immense pressure on England.
However, Afghanistan’s start in this crucial match was shaky after electing to bat first. Jofra Archer’s (3/64) pace and precision put them in trouble within the first 10 overs on a perfect batting surface.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz was bowled by an Archer delivery while attempting a drive, Sediquallah Atal was trapped lbw, and Rahmat Shah was caught at square leg, leaving Afghanistan at 37 for three in the Power Play.
Zadran began the recovery alongside Shahidi, playing cautiously as expected.
Once he reached 50 off 65 balls, Zadran aggressively targeted Jamie Overton, hitting him for a couple of fours to indicate a change in approach.
Shahidi was eventually out while attempting a reverse sweep against leg-spinner Rashid, whose delivery crashed into the stumps.
Yet, Zadran thrived with Omarzai at the crease, increasing the pressure on England.
England also faced a setback with pacer Mark Wood suffering a knee injury, limiting him to just eight overs after exiting the field briefly during Afghanistan’s innings.
Zadran, who completed his sixth ODI century off 106 balls, quickly accelerated, smashing Overton for 6, 4, 4 in a single over.
Even after Omarzai’s departure, the 23-year-old continued to dominate, unleashing a barrage against Archer with 6, 4, 4, 4 to reach the 150 mark for the second time in his career.
Partnering with veteran batter Nabi, Zadran scored runs rapidly for the sixth wicket, averaging over 11 runs per over as England crumbled in the final 10 overs, conceding 113 runs. Zadran eventually fell to Liam Livingstone in the last over.
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