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The Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team match scorecard from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 records one of the most memorable ODI contests between the two sides. Afghanistan defeated England by eight runs in the eighth match of the tournament, played on February 26, 2025, at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan.
Afghanistan batted first and posted an impressive 325/7 in 50 overs. Ibrahim Zadran produced a magnificent innings of 177 runs from 146 balls, while Hashmatullah Shahidi scored 40 and Azmatullah Omarzai added 41. England fought back during the chase, with Joe Root scoring 120 from 111 deliveries, but the team was bowled out for 317 in 49.5 overs.
Azmatullah Omarzai was the standout all-round performer. He scored 41 runs and then took five wickets for 58 runs, helping Afghanistan defend their total in a thrilling finish. Ibrahim Zadran was named Player of the Match for his outstanding century.
Afghanistan vs England Match Summary
| Match detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Afghanistan vs England, 8th match, Group B |
| Tournament | ICC Champions Trophy 2025 |
| Format | One Day International |
| Date | February 26, 2025 |
| Venue | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan |
| Toss | Afghanistan elected to bat |
| Afghanistan score | 325/7 in 50 overs |
| England score | 317 all out in 49.5 overs |
| Result | Afghanistan won by 8 runs |
| Player of the Match | Ibrahim Zadran |
| Highest scorer for Afghanistan | Ibrahim Zadran – 177 runs |
| Highest scorer for England | Joe Root – 120 runs |
| Best bowling performance | Azmatullah Omarzai – 5/58 |
Afghanistan’s victory came through a combination of exceptional batting and decisive bowling. The team established a strong total in the first innings before Omarzai and the other bowlers took crucial wickets during England’s chase.
Afghanistan National Cricket Team Batting Scorecard
Afghanistan began its innings with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran. Gurbaz was dismissed for six, but Zadran continued to build his innings with confidence. He combined patience with aggressive stroke play and reached 177 runs from 146 deliveries, including 12 fours and six sixes.
Hashmatullah Shahidi supported Zadran with 40 runs from 67 balls. Azmatullah Omarzai then accelerated the scoring with 41 from 31 deliveries, while Mohammad Nabi added a rapid 40 from just 24 balls.
Nabi’s late contribution helped Afghanistan finish with 325/7, giving the bowlers a substantial target to defend.
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) | b Jofra Archer | 6 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| Ibrahim Zadran | c Jofra Archer b Liam Livingstone | 177 | 146 | 12 | 6 |
| Sediqullah Atal | lbw b Jofra Archer | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Rahmat Shah | c Adil Rashid b Jofra Archer | 4 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Hashmatullah Shahidi (c) | b Adil Rashid | 40 | 67 | 3 | 0 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | c sub Tom Banton b Jamie Overton | 41 | 31 | 1 | 3 |
| Mohammad Nabi | c Joe Root b Liam Livingstone | 40 | 24 | 2 | 3 |
| Gulbadin Naib | Not out | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Rashid Khan | Not out | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Extras | 11 | ||||
| Total | 7 wickets, 50 overs | 325 |
Ibrahim Zadran’s innings was the defining batting performance of the match. He remained at the crease through different phases of the innings, building partnerships and keeping Afghanistan’s scoring rate healthy. His 177 was instrumental in setting England a challenging target.
England Cricket Team Bowling Scorecard
England’s bowlers took seven wickets but could not prevent Afghanistan from crossing 300 runs. Jofra Archer was the leading wicket-taker with three wickets, while Liam Livingstone took two. Adil Rashid and Jamie Overton also made important breakthroughs.
Archer removed Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal and Rahmat Shah, giving England opportunities to control the innings. However, Zadran’s long stay at the crease and the late acceleration from Omarzai and Nabi ensured that Afghanistan finished with a formidable total.
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jofra Archer | 10 | 64 | 3 |
| Liam Livingstone | 5 | 28 | 2 |
| Adil Rashid | 10 | 66 | 1 |
| Jamie Overton | — | — | 1 |
| Joe Root | 7 | 47 | 0 |
England’s attack made breakthroughs at regular intervals, but Afghanistan continued to score through its middle and lower order. The inability to dismiss Zadran earlier in the innings proved costly.
England National Cricket Team Batting Scorecard
England began its chase looking to maintain the required scoring rate. Phil Salt scored 12 before being dismissed by Omarzai, and Jamie Smith fell for nine. Ben Duckett contributed 38 from 45 balls, but England needed a substantial innings from one of its established batters.
Joe Root stepped up with a brilliant 120 from 111 deliveries. He struck 11 fours and one six, keeping England in contention deep into the chase. Harry Brook made 25, Jos Buttler scored 38, and Jamie Overton contributed 32.
Despite these efforts, wickets fell at crucial moments. Root was dismissed by Omarzai at 287/7, and England eventually lost its final wicket at 317 in 49.5 overs.
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Salt | b Azmatullah Omarzai | 12 | 13 | 2 | 0 |
| Ben Duckett | lbw b Rashid Khan | 38 | 45 | 4 | 0 |
| Jamie Smith (wk) | c Azmatullah Omarzai b Mohammad Nabi | 9 | 13 | 2 | 0 |
| Joe Root | c Rahmanullah Gurbaz b Azmatullah Omarzai | 120 | 111 | 11 | 1 |
| Harry Brook | c & b Mohammad Nabi | 25 | 21 | 3 | 0 |
| Jos Buttler (c) | c Rahmat Shah b Azmatullah Omarzai | 38 | 42 | 0 | 2 |
| Liam Livingstone | c Rahmanullah Gurbaz b Gulbadin Naib | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| Jamie Overton | c Mohammad Nabi b Azmatullah Omarzai | 32 | 28 | 3 | 0 |
| Jofra Archer | c Mohammad Nabi b Fazalhaq Farooqi | 14 | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| Adil Rashid | c Ibrahim Zadran b Azmatullah Omarzai | 5 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Mark Wood | Not out | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Extras | 12 | ||||
| Total | All out, 49.5 overs | 317 |
Joe Root’s century kept England within reach of victory for much of the innings. His dismissal in the closing overs shifted the balance decisively toward Afghanistan. The lower order tried to finish the chase, but Omarzai’s bowling ensured England could not reach the target.
Afghanistan National Cricket Team Bowling Scorecard
Afghanistan’s bowlers faced pressure from Root’s century, but they continued to attack and take wickets. Omarzai produced a match-winning spell, taking five wickets for 58 runs in 9.5 overs. Mohammad Nabi took two wickets, while Gulbadin Naib and Fazalhaq Farooqi also contributed.
Rashid Khan removed Duckett, while Nabi’s dismissals of Jamie Smith and Harry Brook helped prevent England from building a dominant partnership around Root.
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 10 | 62 | 1 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 9.5 | 58 | 5 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 8 | 57 | 2 |
| Rashid Khan | 10 | 66 | 1 |
| Noor Ahmad | 10 | 51 | 0 |
| Gulbadin Naib | 2 | 16 | 1 |
Omarzai’s five-wicket haul was the turning point. He dismissed key batters, including Root, Buttler and Overton, disrupting England’s attempt to build a strong finish. His all-round contribution made him one of the most influential players in the match.
Key Highlights of Afghanistan vs England
- Afghanistan won by eight runs: The team defended 325/7 and bowled England out for 317.
- Ibrahim Zadran scored 177: His innings included 12 fours and six sixes from 146 balls.
- Joe Root made 120: His century kept England in the chase until the closing stages.
- Azmatullah Omarzai took five wickets: His figures of 5/58 helped Afghanistan secure victory.
- Mohammad Nabi scored 40 from 24 balls: His aggressive batting gave Afghanistan a strong finish.
- England fell short in the final over: The last wicket fell at 49.5 overs, leaving England eight runs behind.
- Player of the Match: Ibrahim Zadran received the award for his match-winning innings.
Match Analysis: How Afghanistan Defeated England
Afghanistan’s victory was built on the foundation of Zadran’s extraordinary century. His ability to bat deep into the innings meant Afghanistan did not lose momentum after early wickets. Shahidi helped consolidate the innings, while Omarzai and Nabi accelerated the scoring in the final overs.
England’s chase was led by Joe Root, whose 120 kept the required run rate manageable for a long period. Buttler and Overton added valuable runs, but Afghanistan continued to take wickets and prevented England from establishing a decisive partnership.
Omarzai was especially effective in the second innings. His five wickets removed key batters at important moments, including Root when England was still in contention. The final stages became tense, but Afghanistan maintained composure and secured an eight-run victory.
The result was an important achievement for Afghanistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. It demonstrated the team’s ability to compete with a major international side through a combination of strong batting, disciplined bowling and composure under pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who won the Afghanistan vs England Champions Trophy match in 2025?
Afghanistan won by eight runs on February 26, 2025, at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
2. What was Afghanistan’s score against England?
Afghanistan scored 325/7 in 50 overs.
3. What was England’s final score?
England were bowled out for 317 in 49.5 overs.
4. Who scored the most runs in the match?
Ibrahim Zadran was the highest scorer with 177 runs from 146 balls. Joe Root was England’s leading batter with 120.
5. Who was Player of the Match?
Ibrahim Zadran received the award for his outstanding innings of 177 runs.
6. How many wickets did Azmatullah Omarzai take?
Omarzai took five wickets for 58 runs in 9.5 overs.
Conclusion
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team match scorecard from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 records a thrilling eight-run victory for Afghanistan. Afghanistan scored 325/7, led by Ibrahim Zadran’s 177 and supported by useful contributions from Hashmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi.
England fought hard through Joe Root’s 120, along with contributions from Buttler and Overton, but the team finished on 317 all out. Omarzai’s five-wicket haul proved decisive and helped Afghanistan defend its total in a dramatic finish. Zadran’s century earned him Player of the Match and secured one of Afghanistan’s memorable victories in the tournament.
