Afghanistan penned a historic win, claiming an eight-run triumph over England in a thrilling Group B encounter at the Gaddafi Stadium, hence knocking out the former champions out of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. England's suffering in ODI cricket continued to grow as they were handed their sixth consecutive loss—their poorest losing streak since September 2009.
Azmatullah Omarzai bowled a phenomenal spell, taking Afghanistan's best-ever ODI figures in an ICC tournament with 5 for 58. His achievement overpowered earlier Afghan records by Mohammad Nabi (4-30 against Sri Lanka, 2019), Fazalhaq Farooqi (4-34 against Sri Lanka, 2023), and Shapoor Zadran (4-34 against Scotland, 2015).
The game became one of the highest-scoring games in Champions Trophy history, with a total of 642 runs being combined by Afghanistan's 325/7 and England's 317. It was the third-highest total in the history of the tournament, behind England vs Australia (707 runs, Lahore 2025) and India vs Sri Lanka (643 runs, The Oval 2017).
Omarzai, the ICC ODI Player of the Year, justified the tag with a fine all-round performance. His 41 off 31 balls at the end gave Afghanistan's innings late thrust before he tore apart England's batting order with a five-wicket haul.
Afghanistan's reputation for performance in big ICC events was not disturbed. Earlier, Ibrahim Zadran played an outstanding knock, smashing a jaw-dropping 177—the record highest individual score in Champions Trophy history—to single-handedly drive Afghanistan to 325/7. England's pursuit began on purpose, as Phil Salt drove the first ball for four. But their belligerent strategy soon came apart at the seams.
Omarzai made an immediate impact, dismissing Salt in his opening over as a skidding delivery clipped the off bail. England’s troubles deepened when Jamie Smith, promoted to No. 3, misjudged Mohammad Nabi’s off-spin and edged his very first ball to backward point, leaving them reeling at 30/2 within the powerplay.
Ben Duckett and Joe Root then steadied the innings, with Duckett reaching the milestone of 1,000 ODI runs in just 21 innings—placing him among England’s elite batters. He was given a lifeline when Fazalhaq Farooqi induced a leading edge, only for skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi to drop a sitter at mid-off.
But Afghanistan did not have to wait long for the breakthrough. After the drinks break, Rashid Khan got Duckett LBW with a misleading googly. Initially given not out, Afghanistan's review showed the ball striking leg stump, reversing the umpire's decision. Duckett was gone for 38, and England struggled at 98/3.
Root played a calm innings, putting together a vital 50-run partnership with Duckett before joining forces with Harry Brook. Brook appeared fluent, hitting boundaries with ease, but his innings was ended when he mistimed a short ball straight back to Nabi, giving the veteran his second wicket.
Jos Buttler, under pressure for his form and captaincy, came in to join Root. He started nervously but picked up the pace with two huge sixes off Nabi. England had a reasonable run rate, but Omarzai struck again, compelling Buttler to play a miscued pull that was caught safely at midwicket. His dismissal for 42 left England in danger.
Liam Livingstone, the big-hitting batter, had a chance to turn the game but once again extended his poor ICC form. He nicked a wide ball from Gulbadin Naib to the keeper, handing the part-time seamer his wicket with his fourth delivery. As the run rate needed increased and England's lower order was under the pump, Root was their only hope.
Unfazed, Root demonstrated his class, reaching his 17th ODI century in 98 balls—his first since the 2019 World Cup. The 2025 Champions Trophy saw a record 11 centuries, bettering the earlier record of 10 in the 2002 and 2017 tournaments. Celebrations were short-lived as Omarzai struck again.
Root, going for an uppercut on a short ball, could only glove it to Rahmanullah Gurbaz behind the stumps, leaving for a majestic 120. With 39 needed off 25 deliveries, England relied on Jamie Overton and Jofra Archer to guide them home.
A nervous finish saw England pick up 10 runs from the 47th over, with Archer's streaky boundary providing some optimism. As the threat of a Super Over hung in the air, Afghanistan cleverly slowed the game's pace. Omarzai, in trademark composure, requested sawdust before executing a cleverly disguised slower ball, confusing Overton, who could not clear long-on and presented Nabi with another catch.
Archer and Adil Rashid attempted to revive England's hopes, but Archer was killed trying to run a quick one, again going to Nabi in the deep. With 13 required off the last over—12 to win it off, or for a Super Over—Mark Wood, who was clearly injured, came in with Rashid. But Omarzai remained calm, with Rashid holing out at long-off, ensuring England's exit from the tournament.
Omarzai’s all-round brilliance, featuring a crucial 41-run cameo and a five-wicket haul, cemented his place in Afghanistan’s cricketing history. His heroics ensured Afghanistan’s progression while knocking England out of the competition.
Earlier, Zadran's brilliant 177 stabilized Afghanistan's innings after they were reduced to 37/3 by Archer's aggressive new-ball spell. A crucial 103-run stand between Zadran and Shahidi steadied the innings before late fireworks from Omarzai and Nabi took Afghanistan beyond 300. England's bowling unit collapsed in the death overs, giving away 113 runs in the final 10 overs.
Brief Scores:
Afghanistan: 325/7 in 50 overs (Ibrahim Zadran 177, Azmatullah Omarzai 41; Jofra Archer 3-64, Adil Rashid 1-60)
England: 317 all out in 49.5 overs (Joe Root 120, Jos Buttler 38; Azmatullah Omarzai 5-58, Mohammad Nabi 2-57)
Result: Afghanistan won by 8 runs.
Read also| IND vs PAK: Shami Delivers Longest Over by an Indian in Champions Trophy History
