Match Overview
On 26 February 2025, the Afghanistan national cricket team (AFG) locked horns with the England cricket team (ENG) in a crucial Group B encounter of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. The match ended with Afghanistan clinching a dramatic eight-run victory, posting 325/7 and bowling out England for 317 in 49.5 overs.
This match instantly attracted global attention — a stunning upset that knocked England out of the semi-final race and revived Afghanistan’s hopes. In this full match report, we present the complete “Afghanistan national cricket team vs England cricket team match scorecard,” detailed innings summaries, key moments, and expert analysis.
Table of Contents
Toss & Line-ups
- Toss: Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat first.
- Playing XI (Approximate / based on reported highlights):
- Afghanistan: Included opener Ibrahim Zadran, skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi, all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai, seasoned Mohammad Nabi among others.
- England: Featured Joe Root, Ben Duckett, Jos Buttler, Harry Brook, plus pace and spin bowlers including Jofra Archer, and others.
1st Innings – Afghanistan national cricket team Batting
Afghanistan’s innings began shakily, collapsing to 37/3 within the first powerplay — a start that seemed to hand England control early on.
But the tone of the match changed dramatically once Ibrahim Zadran and Hashmatullah Shahidi steadied the ship, knitting together a 103-run fourth-wicket partnership that began the rescue mission.
Shahidi fell for 40, but by then momentum had shifted. In the latter half of the innings, Zadran accelerated with remarkable aggression, and combined with lower-order contributions from Omarzai and Nabi, helped Afghanistan surge to a commanding total.
Key Performers (1st Innings):
- Ibrahim Zadran: 177 (146 balls) — including 12 fours and 6 sixes.
- Azmatullah Omarzai: quickfire 41 off 31 balls.
- Mohammad Nabi: 40 off 24 balls.
Despite the early collapse, Afghanistan’s aggressive middle and lower order turned the tide, finishing at 325/7 in 50 overs — a daunting target for England.
2nd Innings – England Cricket Team Batting
England started the chase on a rocky note. Early wickets fell — Phil Salt and Jamie Smith departed cheaply — reducing England to 30/2 early on.
In came Ben Duckett and Joe Root, who stabilised England’s innings with a vital partnership. Duckett contributed 38 before falling to spin.
Root, under mounting pressure, played a classy, resilient knock — scoring 120 runs — his 17th ODI hundred, and first in nearly five years after 37 innings.
Mid-innings contributions from the likes of Harry Brook (25) and Jos Buttler (38) looked set to carry England close — but Afghanistan’s bowling held firm under pressure. Omarzai’s fiery spells and a pivotal final over sealed the match.
England eventually fell short — all out for 317 in 49.5 overs — eight runs shy of the target.
Full Scorecard
| Team / Innings | Runs / Wickets (Overs) |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan 1st innings | 325/7 (50.0) |
| England 2nd innings | 317 all out (49.5) |
Top Performers
| Team | Player | Runs / Wickets |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Ibrahim Zadran | 177 (146) |
| Afghanistan | Azmatullah Omarzai | 41 (31) + 5/58 (9.5) |
| Afghanistan | Mohammad Nabi | 40 (24) |
| England | Joe Root | 120 (111) |
| England | Ben Duckett | 38 |
| England | Jos Buttler | 38 |
Player of the Match
Ibrahim Zadran – For his breathtaking 177-run knock which anchored Afghanistan’s innings, turning a precarious 37/3 into 325/7, and ultimately laying the foundation for a memorable victory.
A well-deserved “Player of the Match” — his knock will be remembered as one of the finest in Afghanistan vs England match history.
Points Table Update (Champions Trophy Group B)
This result significantly impacted the standings in Group B of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Afghanistan’s win keeps their semi-final hopes alive, while England is eliminated from contention.
- Afghanistan — with this win — remains in the race for semis (scenario dependent on final group game, presumably vs Australia).
- England — exit from the tournament; their run in Champions Trophy ends here.
Match Highlights & Turning Points
- Early Collapse (37/3): Afghanistan looked down and out, but the Zadran-Shahidi stand changed the dynamics.
- Zadran’s Masterclass: 177 off 146, laced with 18 boundaries — aggressive yet composed. His two big partnerships (with Shahidi, then Omarzai and Nabi) rescued and elevated AFG from peril.
- England’s Middle-Order Recovery: Root and Duckett revived the chase, while Buttler & Brook added impetus. Root’s century looked like tilting the match back — but…
- Afghan Bowling Under Pressure: Omarzai emerged as match-winner with a clutch 5/58; pressure from spin and disciplined bowling at death made the difference.
- Last Over Drama: Needing 13 from final over, with one wicket in hand — Omarzai defended astutely, culminating in the dismissal of Adil Rashid on the 5th ball (caught by Zadran), sealing the win.
Captains’ Reactions
After the match, Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi reflected on the team’s resilience, praising their focus and teamwork: “We play hard, we work hard, we have good net sessions. So that’s what we’re thinking of and we only can do what we can do on the ground.”
England, reeling from the shock defeat, acknowledged that while their batting — particularly Root’s century — was strong, the failure to support the top order and poor handling under pressure cost them dearly.
Expert Analysis
The match between Afghanistan and England will long be remembered as one of the most thrilling “Afghanistan vs England” encounters in recent cricket history. Analysts have highlighted a few key takeaways:
- Depth in Afghan Batting: Zadran’s innings showcased that Afghanistan’s batting lineup now possesses the temperament and firepower to compete even when early wickets tumble. The aggressive yet calculated approach, especially in middle overs, underlines their maturity.
- Role of All-rounders: Omarzai’s performance demonstrated why all-rounders are vital — his lower-order hit boosted the total, then his bowling under pressure swung the match. Teams lacking such dual-threat players may struggle in crunch games.
- England’s Over-Reliance on Key Batters: When Duckett and Root held the innings together, England looked in control. But beyond that, the rest of the batting failed to match the intensity. This match underlines England’s need for more consistent contributions down the order.
- Strategic Use of Spin & Pressure Bowling: Afghanistan’s bowlers bowled tight lines and used pressure effectively — showing that on pitches like Lahore, building pressure and exploiting spin can be more effective than outright pace.
In short — this match could be a turning point, signalling that Afghanistan are no longer minnows but dangerous contenders capable of upsetting traditional powerhouses.
FAQs
Q: What was the final result of the Afghanistan vs England match?
A: Afghanistan beat England by 8 runs.
Q: What was the full scorecard?
A: Afghanistan scored 325/7 in 50 overs; England were all out for 317 in 49.5 overs.
Q: Who scored the most runs in the match?
A: Ibrahim Zadran scored 177 runs off 146 balls — the highest individual score in the match.
Q: Who was Player of the Match?
A: Ibrahim Zadran, for his match-defining innings of 177.
Q: Did any bowler pick up a five-wicket haul?
A: Yes — Azmatullah Omarzai picked up 5 wickets for 58 runs.
Q: What impact did this result have on the ICC Champions Trophy standings?
A: England were eliminated from semi-final contention, while Afghanistan remained alive — their hopes now hinged on their final Group B match.
Conclusion
The “Afghanistan national cricket team vs England cricket team match scorecard” from 26 February 2025 will go down in history as a classic. From a shaky start at 37/3 to a formidable 325/7, and then defending tightly under pressure — Afghanistan showed nerve, skill, and self-belief. Ibrahim Zadran’s scintillating century and Azmatullah Omarzai’s clutch bowling proved decisive.
For England, despite a valiant 120 from Joe Root, the inability of other batters to contribute consistently proved fatal. Their exit from the Champions Trophy underscores a glaring vulnerability — over-reliance on a few stars rather than team-wide depth.
For Afghanistan, however, this victory is more than just 2 points — it is a statement. As they march forward in this tournament, they do so not as underdogs, but as genuine contenders. The cricketing world will now watch them with respect and caution.
Also Read About:-) Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team Timeline
