Here are the full details of the historic encounter on February 26, 2025, Afghanistan secured a remarkable eight-run victory over England in the Champions Trophy, leading to England’s elimination from the tournament.This defeat marked England’s first group-stage exit since 2006 and intensified scrutiny over Jos Buttler’s captaincy.
Match Summary: Afghanistan vs England – Champions Trophy 2025
🏟 Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan 📅 Date: February 26, 2025 🎖 Result: Afghanistan won by 8 runs
Afghanistan Innings: 🏏 325/5 (50 Overs)
Ibrahim Zadran – 177 (146) ⭐ (Highest individual score in Champions Trophy history)
Azmatullah Omarzai – 41 (26)
Mohammad Nabi – 29* (18)
Mark Wood – 2/67 (10)
Adil Rashid – 1/54 (10)
📌 Key Highlight: Afghanistan scored 113 runs in the last 10 overs, setting a strong total.
England Innings: 🏏 317/9 (50 Overs)
Joe Root – 120 (106) ⭐
Harry Brook – 47 (42)
Jos Buttler – 32 (29)
Azmatullah Omarzai – 5/58 (10) 🌟 (Crucial wickets, including Root)
Fazalhaq Farooqi – 2/62 (10)
📌 Key Highlight: England’s middle-order collapse and lack of partnerships led to their downfall.
Turning Points:
✅ Ibrahim Zadran’s record-breaking 177 anchored Afghanistan’s innings. ✅ England’s death bowling woes allowed Afghanistan to post a strong total. ✅ Azmatullah Omarzai’s all-round brilliance (41 runs & 5 wickets) sealed Afghanistan’s victory. ✅ Joe Root’s lone fight wasn’t enough as England’s middle-order crumbled.
Match Impact:
🔥 Afghanistan stays in the semi-final race. 🚨 England eliminated from Champions Trophy 2025. 🔍 Jos Buttler’s captaincy under scrutiny.
Match Highlights:
Ibrahim Zadran’s Record-Breaking Innings:Afghanistan’s opener, Ibrahim Zadran, delivered a stellar performance, scoring 177 runs off 146 balls.This became the highest individual score in Champions Trophy history, surpassing Ben Duckett’s 165 just days prior.
Azmatullah Omarzai’s All-Round Excellence:Omarzai contributed significantly with a quickfire 41 runs and an impressive bowling figure of 5 for 58, including the crucial wicket of Joe Root.
Joe Root’s Valiant Effort:In response, Joe Root anchored England’s innings with a commendable 120 runs.However, lack of substantial support from other batsmen led to England falling short in their chase of 326.
Key Turning Points:
Death Over Challenges:England’s bowling in the final overs proved costly, conceding 113 runs in the last 10 overs, which allowed Afghanistan to post a formidable total.
Middle-Order Collapse:Despite Root’s resilience, England’s middle-order batsmen failed to build partnerships, leading to increased pressure and eventual defeat.
Implications:
This loss has prompted discussions about the future of England’s white-ball leadership, with critics suggesting that Buttler’s captaincy may have adversely affected his batting performance and overall team dynamics.
Afghanistan’s victory not only boosts their semi-final prospects but also signifies a monumental achievement in their cricketing history, showcasing their growing prominence on the international stage.
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