Champions Trophy 2025: Afghanistan shock England for elimination in a memorable win in Lahore

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Champions Trophy 2025: Afghanistan kept their semifinal hopes alive with a thrilling victory over England in Lahore, securing an eight-run win in a high-stakes Group B clash.

The result marked a historic moment for Afghanistan, while England's campaign came to a crashing halt, officially eliminating them from the race for the knockout stages.

England appeared to have the game under control for a significant portion of the contest, but Afghanistan staged a remarkable comeback at the Gaddafi Stadium. The defining moment came with the dismissal of Joe Root, whose valiant effort went in vain as Afghanistan's bowlers held their nerve in the dying stages.

Opting to bat first, Afghanistan found themselves in early trouble at 37/3, with England's bowlers making early inroads. However, Ibrahim Zadran produced a masterclass under pressure, crafting a monumental innings of 177 runs-the highest individual score in Champions Trophy history. His knock, laced with exquisite stroke play and resilience, laid the foundation for Afghanistan's imposing total of 325.

Zadran received crucial support from captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai, and veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, whose contributions helped Afghanistan recover from a precarious position. Their combined efforts ensured that England would have a daunting chase ahead.

In response, England's top order struggled against Afghanistan's disciplined bowling attack. Phil Salt and Jamie Smith fell cheaply, leaving the middle order with a steep task. Root, showcasing his experience, anchored the innings with a brilliant 120 off 111 balls, keeping England's hopes alive.

The game hung in the balance until the 46th over, when Omarzai dismissed Root in a crucial breakthrough. With England needing a late surge, Jamie Overton attempted to provide the final push but could only manage 32 runs before falling under pressure. Afghanistan's bowlers executed their plans to perfection in the last five overs, denying England a comeback and sealing a famous victory.

This defeat marked England's fifth consecutive loss in ODIs, extending their poor run of form following a whitewash against India earlier in the month. Meanwhile, Afghanistan's triumph sets up a virtual quarter-final against Australia-whoever wins will advance to the semifinals. With momentum on their side, Afghanistan will look to script another upset and keep their fairytale run going.