Afghanistan’s Stunning Victory Sends England Packing from ICC Champions Trophy

New Delhi : In a thrilling encounter at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Afghanistan secured a historic victory over England by 8 runs in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy Cricket, knocking them out of the tournament. The match, played last night, saw Afghanistan defend a challenging target of 326 runs with remarkable resilience.

Chasing 326, England were all out for 317 in 49.5 overs. Star batter Joe Root played a valiant knock, scoring 120 off 111 balls, but his efforts went in vain as Afghanistan’s bowlers tightened their grip. Azmatullah Omarzai emerged as the hero with the ball, claiming a five-wicket haul to dismantle the English batting lineup.

Earlier, after electing to bat first, Afghanistan posted a formidable total of 325 for 7 in 50 overs. Opener Ibrahim Zadran etched his name in history by scoring a record-breaking 177 off 146 balls, the highest individual score in ICC Champions Trophy history. He surpassed England’s Ben Duckett’s 165, which was set earlier in the same tournament.

Despite Zadran’s heroics, England pacer Jofra Archer put up a strong bowling performance, claiming 3 wickets to restrict Afghanistan in the death overs. However, Afghanistan’s solid batting foundation proved crucial in their triumph.

England’s early exit from the tournament has ignited discussions about their performance and future strategies. The loss comes as a major setback for the defending champions, raising concerns over their form in high-pressure situations. Afghanistan, on the other hand, continues to impress with their rising stature in international cricket.

Meanwhile, the tournament action continues as Pakistan and Bangladesh prepare to face off in their final Champions Trophy group game in Rawalpindi today. Both teams are yet to register a victory in the competition, making this clash crucial for their campaign. The match is scheduled to begin at 2:30 PM IST, with fans eagerly anticipating a competitive showdown.

With Afghanistan’s stunning win and England’s shocking elimination, the ICC Champions Trophy continues to deliver excitement, reinforcing cricket’s unpredictable and thrilling nature.