Lahore, February 27 (HS): In the Champions Trophy 2025, Afghanistan has defeated England by 8 runs in a major turnaround. Afghanistan set a target of 326 runs against England thanks to Ibrahim Zadran's brilliant 177 runs in this exciting match played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. In reply, the England team was all out for 317 runs in 49.5 overs. The defeat ended England's Champions Trophy campaign, while Afghanistan's hopes of reaching the semi-finals remained alive.

After winning the toss and batting first, the Afghan team got off to a very poor start. After three wickets fell for 37 runs, Ibrahim Zadran (177) and captain Hashamtullah Shahidi (40) put on a partnership of 103 runs to take over the innings. After this, Azmatullah Omarzai (41) and Mohammad Nabi (40) played brisk innings to take the team to a strong score of 325.

Jofra Archer bowled best for England with 3 wickets, while Adil Rashid and Liam Livingstone got 2 each.

Chasing the target of 326 runs, the England team did not get off to a satisfactory start. Phil Salt on 12 and Jamie Smith on 30 got the team under pressure. However, Joe Root (120) and Ben Duckett (38) managed the innings with a 68-run partnership. Captain Jos Buttler (38) and Jamie Overton (32) fought back, but in the end the team fell 8 runs short of the target.

Azmatullah Umarzai bowled lethally for Afghanistan, picking up 5 wickets, while Mohammad Nabi got 2 and Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqui and Gulbadin Naib got 1 each.

With this win, Afghanistan kept alive their hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy, while England crashed out of the tournament.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar