In the eighth match of the Champions Trophy 2025, Afghanistan set the stage ablaze by scoring a whopping 325 runs in the first innings, leaving England with a daunting target of 326 runs to stay in the semi-final race. The hero of the Afghan team was undoubtedly Ibrahim Zadran, who scored an unbeaten 177 runs – a truly historic feat. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mohammad Nabi, and Ajmatullah Umarjai also played crucial roles, helping the team recover from a precarious start and posting a big score. Jofra Archer was the pick of the English bowlers, taking three wickets.
The match, played at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, saw Afghanistan win the toss and opt to bat first. However, their decision didn’t quite pay off initially, as the team stumbled to 37 runs with three wickets down. But then, Ibrahim Zadran and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi joined forces, stitching together a 104-run partnership that brought their team back into the game. Shahidi contributed 40 runs to the cause. Zadran then partnered with Ajmatullah Umarjai to add 72 runs, and finally, with Mohammad Nabi, he forged a rapid 111-run partnership that left the English team reeling.
## Ibrahim Zadran Creates History
Ibrahim Zadran’s blistering 177-run innings was a record-breaking one. He became the first player to score a century for Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy, and his personal score of 177 is now the highest in the tournament’s history. His innings was punctuated by 12 fours and 6 sixes, a testament to his aggressive batting style.
This match is a must-win for both England and Afghanistan, as both teams have lost their opening matches in the 2025 Champions Trophy. The Gaddafi Stadium has already witnessed a historic match, where England posted 351 runs in the first innings, only to see Australia chase it down with five wickets to spare, thanks to Josh English’s 120-run century. Now, it’s England’s turn to chase down a big total and stay alive in the tournament. Can they do it? Only time will tell.
