NEW DELHI: Ibrahim Zadran‘s magnificent 177 and Azmatullah Omarzai‘s five-wicket haul propelled Afghanistan to a nail-biting eight-run win over England on Wednesday, eliminating the latter from Champions Trophy rivalry.
On this essential encounter at Lahore, Afghanistan amassed 325-7 earlier than dismissing England for 317 in 49.5 overs, retaining their semi-final hopes alive while ending England’s match journey.
Regardless of Joe Root’s valiant 120, England suffered their second consecutive ODI defeat to Afghanistan, following their surprising loss throughout the 2023 World Cup in India.
In a tense finale, with England requiring 13 runs from the ultimate over with one wicket remaining, Omarzai displayed outstanding composure, conceding simply 4 runs and claiming Adil Rashid’s wicket.
Afghanistan, competing amidst British political controversy relating to girls’s rights underneath Taliban rule, selected to bat first, aiming to get well from their preliminary loss to South Africa.
The 23-year-old Zadran surpassed his earlier ODI document of 162, crafting a masterful 146-ball innings that included 12 boundaries and 6 maximums.
After a difficult begin at 37-Three inside 9 overs, Zadran steadied the innings by means of an important 103-run partnership with captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, who contributed 40 runs.
Subsequently, Zadran shaped one other vital partnership of 111 runs with Mohammad Nabi, who scored a quick-fire 40 from 24 deliveries.
The 23-year-old Zadran surpassed his earlier ODI document of 162, crafting a masterful 146-ball innings that included 12 boundaries and 6 maximums.
He not solely broke his personal document for Afghanistan’s highest particular person ODI rating but additionally a match document, days after Ben Duckett’s 165 in England’s opening loss to Australia.
“I feel it was among the best ODI innings I’ve ever seen,” stated Shahidi.
Wooden’s knee damage throughout his fourth over affected England’s bowling efficiency, limiting him to simply eight overs of motion.
England’s response started poorly, with Mohammad Nabi’s first supply dismissing Jamie Smith for 9, leaving them struggling at 30-2.
Regardless of Duckett and Root stabilising the innings with a 68-run partnership, Rashid Khan ended Duckett’s innings at 38 with an lbw resolution.
A promising innings from Harry Brook ended on 25 when he provided a return catch to Nabi, additional destabilising England’s chase.
Root maintained his composure while Buttler, after a cautious begin, struck two sixes of their 83-run stand to maintain England in rivalry.
Afghanistan’s disciplined bowling, that includes quite a few dot balls, paid off when Omarzai dismissed Buttler for 38, caught at deep square-leg, adopted shortly by Livingstone’s departure.
Root achieved his first ODI century in almost 5 years and 37 innings, persevering with to attain boundaries alongside Jamie Overton.
Nevertheless, Omarzai in the end claimed Root’s essential wicket, having him caught behind.
“He performed an unbelievable innings tonight. The best way to deal with strain in a run-chase,” stated Buttler.
“He wanted one of many different high six batters to remain in with him and take the sport deeper.”
Afghanistan’s momentum continued as Omarzai claimed Overton’s wicket, and though Jofra Archer made a valiant effort in direction of the top, England’s marketing campaign concluded with their exit from the eight-team competitors, following Pakistan and Bangladesh’s earlier eliminations.
