In an exciting Group B match of the ICC Champions Trophy in Lahore, Afghanistan secured a memorable victory over England by just 8 runs, knocking out England from the tournament. A key highlight of the match was opener Ibrahim Zadran’s exceptional innings of 177 runs off 146 balls, setting a new tournament record. This innings was crucial for Afghanistan as Zadran helped the team reach a total of 325/7, despite facing early setbacks from England’s Jofra Archer, resulting in a crucial advantage for Afghan’s in the win.
Rashid and Zadran’s heartfelt interaction
After the match, a delightful video shared by the ICC captured a candid moment between Rashid Khan and Ibrahim Zadran. In this clip, Rashid praised Zadran, jokingly saying, “Whenever I check with him, I know I will get runs.” Zadran, who had been struggling with form since his last century against Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup, returned the compliment, calling Rashid his mentor. ‘Ibrahim was too good! But he stopped coming to my room, so I knew something was up.’ said Rashid jokingly. In return, Ibrahim Zadran laughed and responded, ‘He (Rashid) is my mentor.’
England’s chase and Afghanistan’s bowling
Chasing 326, England put up a strong fight with Joe Root leading the way with a stylish 120. However, Afghanistan’s bowlers consistently took wickets, ultimately restricting England to 317 in 49.5 overs. The standout performer with the ball was Azmatullah Omarzai, who picked up 5 wickets for 58 runs, ensuring England fell short.
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Team spirit in Afghanistan cricket
The friendly exchange between Rashid and Zadran reflects the team spirit and camaraderie in the Afghan squad. Rashid’s comments about Zadran not visiting his room until the day before the match added a humorous touch, suggesting how important team unity and mentorship are in bringing out the best performances.
This victory not only kept Afghanistan’s hopes alive in the tournament but also showed the integral role of teamwork and support among players. England’s exit from the Champions Trophy added to the drama, as the team faced elimination along with Pakistan and Bangladesh.
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