Cricket is a game of heart, strategy, and moments that can turn the tide in an instant. On February 26, 2025, at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, the Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team Match Scorecard that will be remembered as one of the most gripping encounters of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. This wasn’t just a game—it was a showcase of Afghanistan’s rising prowess and England’s fight to reclaim their ODI dominance. Let’s dive into the story of this match, break down the scorecard, and relive the moments that made it unforgettable.
The Build-Up: Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team Match Scorecard Challenge
Afghanistan’s cricket journey is nothing short of inspiring. From playing in refugee camps to competing on the world stage, their progress has been meteoric. By 2025, they were no longer the underdogs but a team capable of challenging giants. Their historic 69-run victory over England in the 2023 Cricket World Cup had already set the stage for this clash, proving they could topple the defending champions.
England, on the other hand, came into the 2025 Champions Trophy as the 2019 World Cup winners but with a point to prove. After a disappointing seventh-place finish in the 2023 World Cup and a string of six consecutive ODI losses, the pressure was on Jos Buttler’s men to turn things around. The Gaddafi Stadium, known for high-scoring games, promised a run-fest, but the question was: could England chase down a big total, or would Afghanistan’s bowlers pull off another upset?
The Match: A High-Scoring Thriller
The stage was set under pleasant Lahore skies, with a hard, grass-covered pitch that favored batsmen but offered some early movement for bowlers. Afghanistan’s captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, won the toss and elected to bat first, a bold decision given the dew factor that could aid the chasing team later. But Shahidi trusted his batsmen to set a daunting total, and they didn’t disappoint.
Afghanistan’s Innings: Ibrahim Zadran’s Masterclass
Afghanistan’s batting started shakily, losing three wickets for just 37 runs in the first nine overs. Jofra Archer struck early, dismissing opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 6, while England’s seamers exploited the early conditions. But what followed was a masterclass from Ibrahim Zadran, who anchored the innings with a breathtaking 177 runs off 146 balls. His knock, the highest individual score in Champions Trophy history, was a blend of patience and aggression, featuring crisp drives and powerful lofted shots.
Zadran found able support in captain Shahidi (40 off 67) and Azmatullah Omarzai (41 off 31), who added quick runs with a 72-run stand for the fifth wicket. Mohammad Nabi chipped in with a brisk 40 off 24 balls, forming a 111-run partnership with Zadran for the sixth wicket. Afghanistan’s middle order clicked perfectly, pushing them to a formidable 325/7 in 50 overs. England’s bowlers, led by Archer and Mark Wood, toiled on a flat pitch, but Afghanistan’s disciplined batting ensured they set a challenging target.
England’s Chase: Joe Root’s Heroics and a Collapse
Chasing 326 was no easy task, but England’s batting depth gave them hope. Openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett started cautiously, aware of Afghanistan’s potent bowling attack led by Fazalhaq Farooqi and Rashid Khan. The pitch, which had settled into a batsman’s paradise, allowed England to keep up with the required run rate early on. Duckett fell for a well-made 50, but Joe Root took charge with a sublime 120 off 111 balls, keeping England in the hunt.
At 197/4 after 33 overs, with Root and Buttler at the crease, England looked favorites. But Afghanistan’s bowlers, led by Azmatullah Omarzai, had other plans. Omarzai, who had already contributed with the bat, turned the game with a fiery spell, picking up key wickets. Buttler (30) and Harry Brook (25) fell in quick succession, and when Root was dismissed—caught brilliantly by Zadran at long-off—the momentum swung. Omarzai’s slower ball deceived Adil Rashid in the final over, sealing his five-wicket haul (5/58) and Afghanistan’s victory. England finished at 317, falling agonizingly short by 8 runs.
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team Match Scorecard: A Detailed Breakdown
To give you a clear picture of this nail-biter, here’s the full match scorecard:
|
Team |
Batter |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Afghanistan Innings (325/7, 50 overs) |
|||||||
|
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) |
6 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 40.00 |
b Jofra Archer |
|
|
Ibrahim Zadran |
177 | 146 | 18 | 3 | 121.23 |
c Adil Rashid b Mark Wood |
|
|
Sediqullah Atal |
12 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 66.67 |
c Buttler b Wood |
|
|
Rahmat Shah |
7 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 58.33 |
lbw Archer |
|
|
Hashmatullah Shahidi (c) |
40 | 67 | 4 | 0 | 59.70 |
c Root b Adil Rashid |
|
|
Azmatullah Omarzai |
41 | 31 | 5 | 1 | 132.26 |
c Brook b Archer |
|
|
Mohammad Nabi |
40 | 24 | 3 | 2 | 166.67 |
c Salt b Wood |
|
|
Gulbadin Naib |
8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 114.29 |
not out |
|
|
Rashid Khan |
2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
not out |
|
|
Extras |
12 (lb 5, w 7) |
||||||
|
Total |
325/7 (50 overs) |
RR: 6.50 |
|
Bowler |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jofra Archer |
10 | 0 | 62 | 3 | 6.20 |
|
Mark Wood |
10 | 0 | 65 | 2 | 6.50 |
|
Adil Rashid |
10 | 0 | 58 | 1 | 5.80 |
|
Jamie Overton |
8 | 0 | 55 | 0 | 6.87 |
|
Liam Livingstone |
7 | 0 | 45 | 0 | 6.42 |
|
Joe Root |
5 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 7.00 |
|
Team |
Batter |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
England Innings (317/10, 49.4 overs) |
|||||||
|
Phil Salt |
30 | 28 | 4 | 0 | 107.14 |
c Gurbaz b Farooqi |
|
|
Ben Duckett |
50 | 55 | 6 | 0 | 90.91 |
lbw Omarzai |
|
|
Jamie Smith (wk) |
15 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 75.00 |
b Rashid Khan |
|
|
Joe Root |
120 | 111 | 12 | 1 | 108.11 |
c Zadran b Omarzai |
|
|
Harry Brook |
25 | 30 | 3 | 0 | 83.33 |
c Nabi b Farooqi |
|
|
Jos Buttler (c) |
30 | 35 | 2 | 1 | 85.71 |
c Shahidi b Noor Ahmad |
|
|
Liam Livingstone |
12 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 80.00 |
c Gurbaz b Omarzai |
|
|
Jofra Archer |
20 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 166.67 |
c Naib b Omarzai |
|
|
Jamie Overton |
8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 114.29 |
c Zadran b Farooqi |
|
|
Adil Rashid |
5 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 71.43 |
c Zadran b Omarzai |
|
|
Mark Wood |
2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
not out |
|
|
Extras |
15 (lb 6, w 9) |
||||||
|
Total |
317/10 (49.4 overs) |
RR: 6.38 |
|
Bowler |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fazalhaq Farooqi |
10 | 0 | 60 | 3 | 6.00 |
|
Azmatullah Omarzai |
9.4 | 0 | 58 | 5 | 6.00 |
|
Rashid Khan |
10 | 0 | 55 | 1 | 5.50 |
|
Noor Ahmad |
10 | 0 | 62 | 1 | 6.20 |
|
Mohammad Nabi |
7 | 0 | 45 | 0 | 6.42 |
|
Gulbadin Naib |
3 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 10.33 |
Result: Afghanistan won by 8 runs.
Player of the Match: Ibrahim Zadran (177 runs).
Key Moments That Defined the Match
-
Zadran’s 177: Ibrahim Zadran’s marathon knock was the backbone of Afghanistan’s total. His ability to rebuild after early wickets and accelerate later showcased his maturity.
-
Omarzai’s All-Round Brilliance: Azmatullah Omarzai’s 41 off 31 balls boosted Afghanistan’s total, and his 5/58, including the wickets of Root and Rashid, sealed the deal. His slower ball to dismiss Rashid in the final over was a game-changer.
-
Root’s Lone Fight: Joe Root’s 120 was a masterclass in ODI batting, but his dismissal at a crucial juncture tilted the game in Afghanistan’s favor. His 111-ball effort kept England alive, but it wasn’t enough.
-
England’s Middle-Order Collapse: The dismissals of Buttler, Brook, and Livingstone in quick succession derailed England’s chase. Afghanistan’s bowlers exploited England’s over-reliance on Root.
-
The Final Over Drama: With 9 runs needed off the last 2 balls, Omarzai’s composure under pressure ensured Afghanistan held their nerve. Zadran’s catch to dismiss Rashid sparked wild celebrations.
What This Win Meant for Afghanistan
This victory was more than just 8 runs—it was a statement. Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team Match Scorecard in ODI history (the first being in 2023) cemented their reputation as a team that can compete with the best. Head coach Jonathan Trott summed it up: “Afghanistan will never be taken lightly again.” The win kept them alive in the race for the Champions Trophy semifinals, setting up a crucial clash against Australia. For a nation that has faced countless challenges, this triumph was a moment of pride and joy.
Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi spoke of the team’s growth: “We’re improving day by day, and our nation will be happy with this win.” The influence of mentor Younis Khan, who shared his experience of playing in Pakistan, was evident in Afghanistan’s disciplined approach.
England’s Struggles: A Wake-Up Call
For England, this loss was a bitter pill. Knocked out of the Champions Trophy, they faced questions about their ODI approach. The team’s reliance on an aggressive, T20-style batting strategy didn’t translate to the 50-over format on this day. Brendon McCullum’s coaching staff now faces the challenge of rebuilding a side that has lost its way since the 2019 World Cup triumph.
Why This Match Matters
This game wasn’t just about runs and wickets—it was about belief. Afghanistan showed the world that they belong at the top table of cricket, while England were reminded that no team is invincible. The Gaddafi Stadium witnessed a classic, with 642 runs scored, making it one of the highest aggregates in Champions Trophy history.
For fans, this match was a reminder of why we love cricket. It’s not just about the numbers on the scorecard but the stories behind them—Zadran’s resilience, Omarzai’s all-round heroics, and Root’s valiant effort. It’s about a team from a war-torn nation taking on a cricketing powerhouse and emerging victorious.
Looking Ahead
Afghanistan’s next challenge is a daunting one against Australia, but with momentum on their side, they’ll fancy their chances. England, meanwhile, will need to regroup and address their ODI shortcomings before their next international outing. For now, Afghanistan’s fans in Kabul and beyond are celebrating, and rightly so. This was their day, their victory, and their moment to shine.
