Afghanistan knock England out of Champions Trophy 2025: Key stats
What's the story
Afghanistan stunned England in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy encounter at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on February 26. The Afghans successfully defended 325, with Joe Root's ton going in vain. Their win was powered by a fifer from Azmatullah Omarzai. Earlier, a historic 177(146) from Ibrahim Zadran drove Afghanistan to their highest total in the tournament. Notably, England have been knocked out of CT 2025.
Summary
How the match panned out
England reduced Afghanistan, who elected to bat, to 37/3. Zadran and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi added a century-plus stand thereafter. Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi later assisted Zadran, helping Afghanistan scale 325/7. England also lost three wickets within 100 runs, but ton-up Root and Jos Buttler kept them afloat. Omarzai's brilliance to dismiss Root sealed victory for Afghanistan. England were restricted to 317/10.
Zadran
Ton-up Zadran stars in Afghanistan's win
Zadran laid the foundation for Afghanistan's win. He added 100-plus stands with Shahidi and Nabi to bolster them. The former departed in the innings's final over, smashing 177 off 146 balls. His knock was laced with 12 fours and 6 sixes. Zadran has become Afghanistan's first centurion in the Champions Trophy. He is also the first Afghan batter with 100-plus runs in the tournament.
Record
Afghanistan's second ODI win over England
The two sides have met in four ODIs. Three of these meetings came in the last three World Cup editions. While the Brits clinched the 2015 game by nine wickets, they walked away with a comprehensive 150-run triumph in the 2019 event. However, the Afghan side stunned the Brits with a 69-run victory in 2023. They have now won their second ODI against England.
Score
Highest individual score in Champions Trophy
Zadran now has the highest individual score in Champions Trophy history. He broke the record of England's Ben Duckett, who slammed 165 against Australia days ago. Before the ongoing tournament, the highest score in this regard was 145* by Nathan Astle against USA at The Oval in 2004. Zimbabwe's Andy Flower also scored 145 against India in 2002.
Tons
Joint second-most ODI tons for Afghanistan
Overall, Zadran has raced to his sixth ODI century, now the joint second-most for Afghanistan in the format. He shares the record with Mohammad Shahzad, who played his last ODI in 2019. The duo is only behind Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who owns a total of eight ODI tons. Notably, Zadran broke a tie with Rahmat Shah in terms of ODI tons (5).
Feats
More feats for Zadran
Zadran now also has the highest individual score for Afghanistan in ODI cricket. He surpassed his own record of 162 against vs Sri Lanka in Pallekele in 2022. Gurbaz is the only other Afghan with a 150-plus score in ODIs (151 vs Pakistan, Hambantota, 2023). As per Cricbuzz, Zadran now owns the fourth-highest individual score in Pakistan in ODI cricket.
Archer
Fastest to 50 ODI wickets for England
Jofra Archer was the pick of England's bowlers, though he leaked runs toward the end. He took three wickets for 64 runs in 10 overs. Archer dismissed Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, and Rahmat Shah. With this, Archer became the fastest player to take 50 wickets for England in ODIs (30 matches). He broke the record of James Anderson, who did so in 31 matches.
Duckett
Duckett races to 1,000 ODI runs
Although England lost Philip Salt early in the run-chase, Duckett held his fort. He smashed a 45-ball 38 (4 fours) before falling to Rashid Khan. With this, Duckett completed 1,000 runs in ODI cricket. As per Cricbuzz, he is the joint fourth-fastest to this mark in terms of innings (21). He is also the joint second-fastest for England behind Kevin Pietersen (20 innings).
Root
Root slams his 17th ODI ton
Root played yet another traditional ODI knock after England lost two quick wickets in the first powerplay. He joined forces with Duckett, having firmly held his fort. The latter's meticulous technique against spinners grabbed eyeballs. He helped England recover alongside Buttler thereafter. Root raced to his 17th ODI century off 98 balls. He slammed a 111-ball 120 (11 fours and 1 six).
Information
Root's first ODI ton since June 2019
Root is finally back to his best in the 50-over format. He has slammed his first ODI century since June 2019. His last century came in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup when he scored a match-winning 100*(94) against the West Indies.
Information
Multiple tons in Champions Trophy
Root has become only the second England player with multiple centuries in the Champions Trophy. He joins Marcus Trescothick on this elite list. Root's only other Champions Trophy ton came in the 2017 edition (133* vs Bangladesh).
Bowling
How Omarzai disarrayed English batters
Omarzai first dismissed the dangerous Philip Salt early on to give Afghanistan an edge. He then broke a crucial partnership between Buttler and Root, dismissing the former. Omarzai's next wicket came in the form of Root, who looked set to win the match for England. The former then removed a well-set Jamie Overton before dismissing Adil Rashid to seal Afghanistan's win.
Omarzai
Best figures for Afghanistan in ICC ODI tournaments
Omarzai now has the best bowling figures for Afghanistan in ICC ODI tournaments (5/58 in 9.5 overs). In fact, he took the first fifer in this regard. Nabi had the previous-best figures (4/30 vs Sri Lanka, Cardiff, WC 2019). Notably, Afghanistan are featuring in the Champions Trophy for the first time, which also marks the tournament's first fifer for them.
Feat
Third Afghan seamer with this feat
As per Cricbuzz, Omarzai has become the third Afghanistan seamer with a fifer in ODI cricket. He joins Gulbadin Naib (6/43 vs Ireland, Belfast, 2019) and Hamid Hassan (5/45 vs UAE, Dubai, 2014). This was also the maiden five-wicket haul of Omarzai's ODI career. He now has 36 wickets in 38 encounters at an average of 29.69.
Information
England knocked out of CT
As mentioned, England have been knocked out of the 2025 Champions Trophy. They lost their opener to Australia. Afghanistan, South Africa, and Australia are alive in the race for semis from Group B.