Cricket fans around the globe witnessed an electrifying clash in the recent Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs England Cricket Team Match Scorecard, where passion met precision on the field. This highly anticipated encounter wasn’t just another fixture—it was a battle of grit, skill, and national pride. From powerful sixes to game-changing wickets, both teams showcased why they deserve their spot among cricket’s elite. Whether you were rooting for Afghanistan’s fearless rise or England’s seasoned dominance, this match had every ingredient of a cricketing classic.
The England Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard tells the full story of an unforgettable game—every run, every wicket, and every dramatic moment. Fans and analysts alike have been poring over the stats to relive the intensity of this face-off. Whether you’re checking out the top performers, key turning points, or final scores, this scorecard is your go-to snapshot of a thrilling international showdown.
Match Overview: Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs England Cricket Team Match Scorecard
The 8th match of Group B in the Champions Trophy 2025 took place at Lahore, where Afghanistan won the toss and decided to bat first. What followed was an incredible display of cricket from both teams, but Afghanistan managed to hold their nerve in crucial moments to secure a famous victory.
Match Details:
- Tournament: ICC Champions Trophy 2025
- Match: 8th Match, Group B
- Date: February 26, 2025
- Venue: Lahore, Pakistan
- Result: Afghanistan won by 8 runs
- Toss: Afghanistan (chose to bat first)
Afghanistan’s Batting Performance
Afghanistan’s innings was a perfect example of how cricket can change quickly. They started very poorly, losing three wickets for just 37 runs. Many people thought the match was already over for Afghanistan. However, cricket is a funny game, and what happened next was simply amazing.
The early damage was done by England’s Jofra Archer, who took three wickets in the first nine overs. Afghanistan lost their openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (6) and Sediqullah Atal (4) very early, followed by Rahmat Shah (4). At 37/3, things looked very bad for Afghanistan.
But then came the hero of the match – Ibrahim Zadran. He played one of the greatest innings in Afghanistan cricket history. Zadran scored a magnificent 177 runs from 146 balls, hitting 12 fours and 6 sixes. His innings was full of beautiful shots and showed great patience when needed.
Zadran found good support from his captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, who scored 40 runs from 67 balls. Together, they built a partnership that brought Afghanistan back into the game. Later in the innings, Azmatullah Omarzai scored 41 runs from just 31 balls with 1 four and 3 sixes, while Mohammad Nabi added 40 runs from 24 balls with 2 fours and 3 sixes.
Afghanistan Innings Scorecard
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate | How Out |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | 6 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 40.00 | b Archer |
| Ibrahim Zadran | 177 | 146 | 12 | 6 | 121.23 | c Archer b Livingstone |
| Sediqullah Atal | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 100.00 | lbw b Archer |
| Rahmat Shah | 4 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 44.44 | c Rashid b Archer |
| Hashmatullah Shahidi (c) | 40 | 67 | 3 | 0 | 59.70 | b Rashid |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 41 | 31 | 1 | 3 | 132.25 | c Banton b Overton |
| Mohammad Nabi | 40 | 24 | 2 | 3 | 166.66 | c Root b Livingstone |
| Gulbadin Naib | 1* | 3 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 | Not Out |
| Rashid Khan | 1* | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 | Not Out |
| Extras | 11 | |||||
| Total | 325/7 | 50 overs | 6.50 |
The most important partnership was between Zadran and Nabi, who put on 111 runs for the 6th wicket in just 50 balls. This partnership changed the whole match and took Afghanistan from a difficult position to a winning one.
England’s Chase
Chasing 326 runs to win, England knew they needed a good start. However, like Afghanistan, they also lost early wickets. Phil Salt was bowled by Azmatullah Omarzai for 12 runs, and Jamie Smith was caught by Mohammad Nabi for 9 runs.
The hero of England’s chase was Joe Root, who played a captain’s knock. Root scored 120 runs from 111 balls, hitting 11 fours and 1 six. His innings kept England in the hunt for a long time and gave hope to English fans around the world.
Root found good support from Jos Buttler, who scored 38 runs, and Harry Brook, who made 25 runs. However, the star of England’s bowling attack during Afghanistan’s innings, became the star of Afghanistan’s bowling during England’s chase.
Azmatullah Omarzai took 5 wickets for 58 runs in 9.5 overs, which was an outstanding performance. He removed key players like Buttler, Root, and others at crucial moments. His bowling was the main reason why England could not reach the target.
England Innings Scorecard
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate | How Out |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Salt | 12 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 92.30 | b Omarzai |
| Ben Duckett | 38 | 45 | 4 | 0 | 84.44 | lbw b Rashid Khan |
| Jamie Smith (wk) | 9 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 69.23 | c Omarzai b Nabi |
| Joe Root | 120 | 111 | 11 | 1 | 108.10 | c Gurbaz b Omarzai |
| Harry Brook | 25 | 21 | 3 | 0 | 119.04 | c&b Nabi |
| Jos Buttler (c) | 38 | 42 | 0 | 2 | 90.47 | c Shah b Omarzai |
| Liam Livingstone | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 125.00 | c Gurbaz b Naib |
| Jamie Overton | 32 | 28 | 3 | 0 | 114.28 | c Nabi b Omarzai |
| Jofra Archer | 14 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 175.00 | c Nabi b Farooqi |
| Adil Rashid | 5 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 71.42 | c Zadran b Omarzai |
| Reece Topley | 2* | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.66 | Not Out |
| Extras | 12 | |||||
| Total | 317 | 49.5 overs | 6.36 |
Key Bowling Performances: Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs England Cricket Team Match Scorecard
Afghanistan Bowling
The Afghanistan bowling attack showed great character in defending their total. Azmatullah Omarzai was the star with figures of 5/58 in 9.5 overs. His bowling was accurate and he picked up wickets at the right time.
Mohammad Nabi, the experienced all-rounder, took 2 wickets for 57 runs in 8 overs. Rashid Khan, Afghanistan’s star spinner, took 1 wicket for 66 runs in 10 overs. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Gulbadin Naib also contributed with one wicket each.
England Bowling
England’s bowling was led by Jofra Archer, who took 3 wickets for 64 runs in 10 overs. He was the one who gave England a great start by removing Afghanistan’s top order. Liam Livingstone took 2 wickets for 28 runs in 5 overs, including the important wicket of Ibrahim Zadran.
Adil Rashid took 1 wicket for 60 runs, while Jamie Overton and Sam Curran took one wicket each. However, their bowling was not enough to stop Afghanistan from reaching a big total.
Match Turning Points: Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs England Cricket Team Match Scorecard
1. Ibrahim Zadran’s Record-Breaking Innings
The biggest turning point was Zadran’s innings. When Afghanistan was 37/3, many people thought the game was over. But Zadran had other ideas. His 177 runs is one of the highest individual scores by an Afghanistan batsman in ODI cricket.
2. The 6th Wicket Partnership
The partnership between Ibrahim Zadran and Mohammad Nabi added 111 runs in just 50 balls. This partnership completely changed the match and took Afghanistan to a winning total.
3. Azmatullah Omarzai’s All-Round Performance
Omarzai was the complete player in this match. He scored important runs with the bat and then took 5 wickets with the ball. His performance was the main reason for Afghanistan’s victory.
4. England’s Middle Order Collapse
Despite Joe Root’s brilliant innings, England’s middle order could not provide enough support. The loss of Jos Buttler, Liam Livingstone, and other key players in quick succession cost them the match.
Statistical Highlights: Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs England Cricket Team Match Scorecard
- Highest Individual Score: Ibrahim Zadran – 177 runs
- Best Bowling Figures: Azmatullah Omarzai – 5/58
- Most Sixes in the Match: Afghanistan hit 12 sixes, England hit 3 sixes
- Total Boundaries: Afghanistan hit 19 fours and 12 sixes, England hit 31 fours and 3 sixes
- Partnership Records: Zadran-Nabi partnership of 111 runs was the highest in the match
- Run Rate: Afghanistan scored at 6.50 per over, England at 6.36 per over
What This Victory Means
This victory is huge for Afghanistan cricket. It shows how much the team has grown over the years. A few years ago, playing against teams like England was just a dream for Afghan cricketers. Now, they are not only competing but also winning against the best teams in the world.
This result knocks England out of the Champions Trophy, which is a major upset in the tournament. For Afghanistan, this victory keeps their Champions Trophy dreams alive and gives them confidence for future matches.
The win also shows the depth in Afghanistan cricket. When their top order failed, the middle order stood up. When they needed to defend a total, their bowlers delivered. This is the sign of a strong team that can compete at the highest level.
Impact on Both Teams: Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs England Cricket Team Match Scorecard
Afghanistan
This victory will give Afghanistan huge confidence going forward. They have shown that they can compete with and beat the best teams in the world. The performance of players like Ibrahim Zadran and Azmatullah Omarzai will inspire young cricketers back home.
The victory also helps Afghanistan in ICC rankings and gives them better seeding for future tournaments. Most importantly, it shows the world that Afghan cricket is here to stay and compete at the highest level.
England
For England, this defeat is a big setback. Being knocked out of the Champions Trophy will raise questions about the team’s preparation and strategy. The defeat also raises questions about Jos Buttler’s captaincy.
England will need to look at their team combination and strategy for future ODI matches. The loss shows that they cannot take any team lightly in modern cricket.
Player of the Match
While Ibrahim Zadran scored a brilliant 177 runs, many experts believe that Azmatullah Omarzai deserves to be the player of the match. Omarzai scored 41 runs with the bat and then took 5 wickets for 58 runs. His all-round performance was the difference between the two teams.
Omarzai showed that he is a complete cricketer who can contribute with both bat and ball. His performance in this match will be remembered for a long time by Afghan cricket fans.
Conclusion: Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs England Cricket Team Match Scorecard
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs England Cricket Team Match Scorecard in Champions Trophy 2025 will be remembered as one of the greatest upsets in cricket history. It was a match that had everything – brilliant individual performances, team effort, and moments of magic that make cricket such a beautiful sport.
Ibrahim Zadran’s 177 runs and Azmatullah Omarzai’s all-round performance were the highlights of Afghanistan’s victory. For England, Joe Root’s 120 runs showed his class, but it was not enough to save his team.
This match proves that cricket is a great equalizer. On any given day, any team can beat any other team if they play to their potential. Afghanistan did exactly that and showed the world that they deserve respect in international cricket.
The victory will inspire millions of young cricketers in Afghanistan and other associate nations. It shows that with hard work, dedication, and belief, any dream is possible in cricket.
As Afghanistan celebrates in Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs England Cricket Team Match Scorecard this historic victory, they will know that this is just the beginning. They have the talent and the spirit to achieve even greater things in the future. This match will always be remembered as the day when Afghan cricket truly announced its arrival on the world stage.
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FAQs: Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs England Cricket Team Match Scorecard
Q1: When and where was the Afghanistan vs England match played?
Answer: The match was played on February 26, 2025, at Lahore, Pakistan, as part of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 (8th Match, Group B).
Q2: What was the final result of the match?
Answer: Afghanistan won the match by 8 runs. Afghanistan scored 325/7 in 50 overs, while England was bowled out for 317 runs in 49.5 overs.
Q3: Who was the top scorer in the match?
Answer: Ibrahim Zadran from Afghanistan was the top scorer with 177 runs from 146 balls, including 12 fours and 6 sixes.
Q4: Who took the most wickets in the match?
Answer: Azmatullah Omarzai from Afghanistan took the most wickets, claiming 5 wickets for 58 runs in 9.5 overs.
Q5: How did Afghanistan recover from 37/3?
Answer: Ibrahim Zadran played a brilliant innings of 177 runs and built important partnerships, especially with Mohammad Nabi (111 runs for the 6th wicket), to take Afghanistan to a competitive total.
