Champions Trophy: Afghanistan stun England as Azmatullah Omarzai shines in Lahore

Lahore, Feb 26 (IANS) Afghanistan pulled off a historic victory, defeating England by eight runs in a thrilling Group B encounter at the Gaddafi Stadium here, knocking the former World Champions out of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. England’s struggles in ODI cricket continued as they slumped to their sixth consecutive defeat, their worst losing streak since September 2009.

Azmatullah Omarzai delivered the best-ever bowling figures for Afghanistan in an ICC ODI tournament, claiming 5 for 58 to surpass previous records held by Mohammad Nabi (4-30 vs Sri Lanka, 2019), Fazalhaq Farooqi (4-34 vs Sri Lanka, 2023), and Shapoor Zadran (4-34 vs Scotland, 2015).

The match also featured one of the highest aggregates in Champions Trophy history, with a combined total of 642 runs — Afghanistan’s 325/7 followed by England’s 317. This made it the third-highest aggregate game in the tournament’s history, behind England vs Australia (707 runs, Lahore 2025) and India vs Sri Lanka (643 runs, The Oval 2017).

Azmatullah Omarzai emerged as the star of the night, showcasing exactly why he was named the ICC ODI Player of the Year, producing a match-winning all-round performance, scoring 41 off 31 balls before dismantling England’s batting lineup with a five-wicket haul. First, he turned the game on its head with a crucial 41 off 31 balls, propelling Afghanistan to a formidable 325.

Afghanistan’s reputation for delivering big performances in ICC events remains intact. Earlier in the match, Ibrahim Zadran played one of the standout innings of the tournament, smashing a breathtaking 177 to single-handedly push Afghanistan’s total to 325/7. Set a challenging target of 326, England’s chase began on a positive note as Phil Salt drove the first ball of the innings for four, showcasing early intent. However, the aggressive approach backfired almost immediately.

Azmatullah Omarzai struck in his first over, sending Salt back as a skidding delivery rattled the off bail. The setback deepened when Jamie Smith, batting at No. 3, misjudged Mohammad Nabi’s off-spin and edged his first ball to backward point, leaving England struggling at 30/2 within the powerplay.

Ben Duckett and Joe Root then took charge, attempting to stabilize the innings. Duckett, in particular, looked composed, reaching 1,000 ODI runs in just 21 innings – joining an elite group of England batters. However, he was handed a major reprieve when Fazalhaq Farooqi induced a leading edge, only for Afghan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi to drop a straightforward chance at mid-off.

England’s luck ran out soon after the drinks break when Rashid Khan provided Afghanistan with a crucial breakthrough. Duckett, who had settled in well, was trapped LBW by a deceptive googly. Initially given not out, Afghanistan’s review overturned the decision, with ball-tracking confirming it had pitched on the leg stump line. Duckett departed for 38, and England were once again under pressure at 98/3.

Despite wickets tumbling around him, Joe Root played the anchor role, pacing his innings expertly. He first built a steady 50-run partnership with Duckett before stitching together another stand with Harry Brook. The latter began with a flurry of boundaries, appearing comfortable in the dewy conditions. However, Brook fell against the run of play, miscuing a short-pitched delivery back to Nabi, giving the veteran spinner his second wicket.

Jos Buttler, under scrutiny for his form and leadership, joined Root in the middle, and after a scratchy start, found momentum with two towering sixes off Nabi. England maintained a healthy run rate, but Afghanistan struck back yet again as Omarzai’s short ball forced Buttler into a miscued pull, caught comfortably at midwicket. His departure for 42 left England’s chase hanging in the balance.

Liam Livingstone, known for his power-hitting, was expected to take the attack to Afghanistan. However, his lean run in ICC events continued as he edged a wide delivery from Gulbadin Naib to the keeper, handing the part-time seamer a wicket with his fourth ball. With the required run rate creeping up and England’s lower-order exposed, the onus was on Root.

Undeterred, Root continued his fine touch and reached his 17th ODI century in 98 balls – his first in the format since the 2019 World Cup. The 2025 Champions Trophy saw a record-breaking 11 hundreds, surpassing the previous best of 10 from the 2002 and 2017 editions. However, celebrations were cut short when Omarzai struck again.

Root, attempting to uppercut a short ball, only managed to glove it to Rahmanullah Gurbaz behind the stumps, departing for a magnificent 120. With 39 required off 25 balls, England relied on Jamie Overton and Jofra Archer.

England managed 10 runs off the 47th over, with Archer’s streaky boundary providing brief relief. With the possibility of a Super Over looming, Afghanistan slowed the game down, forcing Overton to think. Omarzai cleverly called for sawdust before delivering a slower ball that deceived Overton, who failed to clear long-on, gifting Nabi another catch.

Archer and Adil Rashid attempted to take England closer, but the former perished while trying to accelerate, finding Nabi once again in the deep. With 13 needed off the final over – 12 for a Super Over – Mark Wood, injured and struggling to run, joined Rashid. However, Omarzai remained composed, and Rashid holed out to long-off, sealing England’s fate.

Omarzai delivered a performance for the ages, finishing with figures of 5 for 58, dismantling England’s hopes with his incisive spells. His all-round brilliance, including his valuable 41-run cameo with the bat, ensured Afghanistan’s survival in the tournament and sent England crashing out.

Earlier in the match, Zadran’s stunning 177 – the highest individual score in Champions Trophy history – propelled Afghanistan to a formidable total.

England made early inroads with Archer’s fiery new-ball spell, reducing Afghanistan to 37/3, but a crucial 103-run stand between Zadran and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi steadied the innings. Late cameos from Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi powered Afghanistan to a strong finish as England’s attack struggled, conceding 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) beat England 317 all out in 49.5 overs (Joe Root 120, Jos Buttler 38; Azmatullah Omarzai 5-58, Mohammad Nabi 2-57) by eight runs

–IANS

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