Champions Trophy 2025: Ibrahim Zadran Etches His Name in History with Afghanistan's First Century in the Tournament

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Afghanistan's Ibrahim Zadran has scripted history in the Champions Trophy 2025, becoming the first player from his country to register a century in the prestigious tournament.

The opener played a sublime knock against England in Lahore, reaching the three-figure mark off 106 balls with a well-placed single to square leg off Liam Livingstone.

It was a moment of immense pride for Afghanistan cricket, as Zadran acknowledged the dressing room with a heartfelt gesture, removing his helmet and raising his bat to the applause of his teammates and fans.

Zadran's innings shows his consistency and ability to deliver under pressure. This was his second century in an ICC ODI event, following his unbeaten 129 against Australia in the 2023 World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium. His ability to anchor the innings while maintaining a healthy strike rate has made him one of Afghanistan's most reliable batters in recent years.

His knock against England was built on patience and precision. He navigated the early storm, weathering England's pace attack led by Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, both of whom bowled at speeds exceeding 145 km/h. Zadran played with a measured approach initially, reaching his half-century in 66 balls before accelerating in the middle overs. He took the attack to Jamie Overton, hammering 16 runs in a single over, which included a six and two boundaries.
A Landmark Knock in Champions Trophy History

Zadran's century was not just a personal milestone but also a significant achievement in the context of the tournament. His hundred was the tenth individual century of the Champions Trophy 2025, equalling the record for the most centuries in a single edition, a feat previously achieved in 2002 and 2017. Notably, Pakistan remains the only team in this edition yet to record a century.

At the time of writing, Afghanistan, eyeing a competitive total, gained momentum with Azmatullah Omarzai's aggressive strokeplay at the other end. The all-rounder provided an immediate boost, smashing a six off Livingstone, further consolidating Afghanistan's position. However, England clawed back with Adil Rashid breaking the growing partnership by dismissing Hashmatullah Shahidi for 40.

Zadran's milestone innings has further solidified Afghanistan's presence on the world stage, proving that they are not just underdogs but genuine contenders in global tournaments. With performances like this, Afghanistan's cricketing future looks brighter than ever.