Ibrahim Zadran’s classy innings of 177 helped Afghanistan knock England out of the ICC Champions Trophy in a thriller at Lahore by eight runs. It was the second time the Afghans had beaten the English in an ICC tournament after beating them by 68 runs in the Super 10s stage of the 2023 World Cup.
It was England who won the toss and elected to field first.
Jofra Archer got them off to the perfect start with the wicket of Rahmanullah Gurbaz at 11-1.
Sediqullah atal followed soon after at 15-2.
Archer was on fire, when he had Rahmat Shah as his third scalp at 37-3.
Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and Zadran got Afghanistan back on track, with a partnership of 103 off 123 balls.
Zadran reached 50 in 65 balls.
Before Adil Rashid got England back in the game, by getting Hashmatullah for 40 at 140-4.
Azmatullah Omarzai got his innings going with a towering six.
Zadran soon reached his century in 106 balls.
Omarzai continued his assault on England’s bowlers.
And put on a 50-run stand with Zadran off 47 balls.
Zadran’s game began to expand post reaching 100.
But Jamie Overton gave England the breakthrough, when Omarzai’s innings of 41 ended at 212-5.
Mohammed Nabi was also amongst the runs.
Zadran was batting on a different planet.
He reached 150 in 133 balls.
Nabi shifted gears and went into beast mode.
While Zadran continued to pile on more agony for England.
The right-hander’s brilliant innings was ended in the final over by Liam Livingstone, as Afghanistan posted a formidable score of 325-7.
As the Afghans had a potent bowling attack, this was always going to be a tricky run chase for England, who needed a good start from their openers.
Unfortunately, Omarzai denied them that goog start, with the wicket of Phil Salt and 19-1.
Jamie Smith played some nice shots.
But he went for one shot too many off Nabi and perished to Omarzai at 30-2.
Root started his innings in a confident mood.
Ben Duckett joined in at the other end.
He got a life when Hashmatullah dropped him on 30.
Root showed why he’s such a classy player against spin.
But Rashid Khan gave Afghanistan the breakthrough with the wicket of Duckett at 98-3.
Harry Brook was looking good in the middle.
But he got out to a soft dismissal by Nabi at 133-4.
Root reached 50 in 50 balls.
While the England Captain began to click into gear.
Root was inching closer to his century.
While Buttler began to up the ante.
But Omarzai gave Afghanistan the breakthrough, as the England Captain was dismissed for 38, at 216-5.
However, England still had hope while Root was at the crease.
Livingstone tried to offer support with some boundaries, but went for one shot too many and perished to Gulbadin Naib at 233-6.
Root however, was not giving up on the chase, as he inched closer to his century.
And he got there in 98 balls.
Overton played some crisp shots to get England closer to the target.
Root started to get funky with his stroke play.
But Omarzai got the crucial wicket of the former England Test Captain, who departed for a splendid 120, at 287-6.
Now it was Afghanistan who were in the driver’s seat.
But Archer was not giving up on the chase.
It looked as if Overton would win it for Buttler’s side.
But Omarzai held his nerve to end the Surrey all-rounder’s cameo of 32 from 27 balls, at 309-8.
It was now Afghanistan that was in control.
Fazalhaq Farooqi got his first wicket of the innings by dismissing Archer for 14 at 313-9.
And Omarzai finished things of with the wicket of Rashid, to end England’s innings at 317, and help Afghanistan record another famous win at an ICC tournament.
England’s two back-to-back defeats against Australia and now Afghanistan mean that, once again, it is another disappointing 50-over tournament for Buttler’s side.
They managed only three wins in the ICC World Cup in India, and perhaps it’s time for a change in leadership.
Buttler, who is 34, insists that he needs time to think about his future as England’s white ball Captain and does not want to dwell on it too much.
“It’s tough to say, stood here right now, and I don’t want to make any sort of emotional statements,” “But I think it’s fair to say that you’ve got to consider all possibilities. “I’ve enjoyed it [the captaincy]. I’ve seen lots of people say it doesn’t sit well with me, but I do enjoy it. I enjoy the challenge. Obviously, I don’t enjoy losing games of cricket and the results. And, of course, when they’re not going well, you do look at yourself in the mirror and say, ‘am I part of the problem or am I part of the solution?’ I think that’s what I’ve got to work out.”
Buttler: ESPNCricinfo
But surely the ECB need to be looking at the future, as Buttler isn’t as free-flowing with the bat as England fans have been accustomed to?
Why not give the Captaincy to Brook?
He is 26, but perhaps a younger Captain may have a fresh approach on how the team should play their cricket?
Glorious Future For Afghanistan
As for Afghanistan, this is another major step forward in their journey to become a powerful cricketing nation.
Shahidi dedicated the victory to Zadran for his match-winning innings.
“He’s absolutely brilliant. Talented guy,” “When we were three down at the beginning, it was too much pressure. But the partnership me and Ibrahim did was special.”I think it was one of the best ODI innings I have ever seen.”
Shahidi: Yahoo Sports
Afghanistan now have a great chance of making the semi-finals if they beat Australia in Lahore on Friday.
As for England, it’s back to the drawing board, to revitalise their ODI game.
What does the future have in store for England and Afghanistan?
Find out on World In Sport.