The politicians may not have wanted this match to proceed, but who could have denied the raw euphoria that erupted in Lahore? Afghanistan completed the double they began at the 2023 World Cup, knocking England out of the Champions Trophy in a dramatic, nerve-wracking scramble for glory.

With England needing eight runs and only two balls remaining, Mark Wood injured and all recognized batters dismissed, Adil Rashid swung desperately off the penultimate delivery. His shot found Ibrahim Zadran—the man of the moment—who calmly took the catch in front of the dugout, matching the composure he had shown while crafting a sublime 177 from 146 balls, an innings simply too good to falter.

England’s hopes had largely rested on Joe Root, whose 120 off 111 balls marked his 17th ODI century—but his first since the 2019 World Cup. With better support and free from the cramps that plagued him during the final push, his steady run-a-ball pace might have been enough. Instead, he fell to a well-directed effort ball from the relentless Azmatullah Omarzai, whose five-wicket haul capped off an invaluable 41-run cameo that had rescued Afghanistan from a precarious position.

After the loss, a stunned Jos Buttler refrained from making any “emotional” decisions about his captaincy but acknowledged the deep-seated lack of confidence that had contributed to England’s downfall.

Zadran, Shahidi Steady the Ship After Archer’s Early Blitz

Afghanistan’s decision to bat first seemed questionable when Jofra Archer’s three-wicket burst in the powerplay reduced them to 37 for 3 by the ninth over. However, Ibrahim Zadran and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi focused on survival, and their patient 103-run fourth-wicket partnership gradually evolved into a platform for a seamless acceleration.

The scorecard perfectly reflected Afghanistan’s innings narrative: a top-order collapse with three single-digit scores totaling just 14 runs from 28 balls, followed by a trio of 40s that gained momentum with each batter. Shahidi anchored the middle overs, Azmatullah Omarzai added impetus, and the evergreen Mohammad Nabi unleashed a rapid 24-ball cameo—yet another ageless performance from a stalwart who has been part of Afghanistan’s journey since their early tours as a club side in 2006.

Zadran’s Record-Breaking Century Powers Afghanistan to Commanding Total

At the heart of Afghanistan’s innings was a masterful performance from Ibrahim Zadran. His sixth ODI century in just 35 innings wasn’t just a personal milestone—it was a record-breaking feat. Zadran’s 177 became the highest individual score by an Afghan in the format and the best in Champions Trophy history, surpassing Ben Duckett’s 165 against Australia in the previous Lahore fixture.

His innings was a controlled explosion—meticulously crafted yet devastatingly effective. Zadran weathered England’s early pace assault with grit, bringing up his first fifty off 65 balls. From there, he accelerated with remarkable precision, reaching his century from the next 41 deliveries and surging at nearly a 200 strike rate thereafter. By the time he was dismissed at square leg at the start of the final over, he had shifted gears so seamlessly that England appeared powerless to halt the onslaught.

England’s struggles were epitomized by Mark Wood, who, after spending 38 minutes off the field nursing a left knee injury, was forced to withdraw permanently with two overs of his spell unused—further compounding their woes against Zadran’s brilliance.

England’s Bowling Resources Exposed as Zadran, Nabi Punish Late Overs

Mark Wood’s effort was characteristically relentless, his commitment never in doubt. Yet, England’s urgency to reintroduce him despite his injury underscored their depleted bowling options. Forced into a retro approach reminiscent of ODI cricket from the 1980s and 1990s, England relied on Joe Root and Liam Livingstone to cobble together 12 overs. However, when Root’s off-spin was thrown into the fire against the aggressive Mohammad Nabi, the gamble backfired spectacularly—two towering leg-side sixes highlighted a 23-run 47th over.

Even Jofra Archer, England’s spearhead, couldn’t halt the onslaught. Zadran, already in full flow, had dispatched him for a six and three fours earlier. In Archer’s final over, Zadran sealed his dominance, launching a slower delivery over long-on to surpass Ben Duckett’s record—capping off a breathtaking display of batting prowess.

England Falter Under Scoreboard Pressure Despite Promising Start

Chasing a formidable target of 326, England faced a steep but not impossible task—especially given the venue’s recent history. Just days earlier, they had posted 351 for 8 on the same ground, only for Australia to chase it down with 15 balls to spare. Yet, Afghanistan’s total was nearly double what England might have anticipated earlier in the innings.

The pressure of the scoreboard was evident from the outset. Phil Salt began confidently, driving a boundary that showcased the pitch’s true nature. However, his aggression was short-lived as he lost his off bail attempting to pull a skiddy length delivery from Azmatullah Omarzai. Jamie Smith, a prospect for the future, struggled in the present moment. His dismissal was careless—charging blindly at the ever-reliable Mohammad Nabi, who delivered a quicker off-break to claim a wicket with the first ball of his spell for the third consecutive ODI.

Root Offers Resistance, but England’s Middle Order Crumbles

Where there was Joe Root, there was hope. Alongside Ben Duckett, he began rebuilding the innings, mirroring their recovery efforts against Australia from an identical position. Duckett, however, survived an early reprieve when Hashmatullah Shahidi dropped him at mid-off on 29. The let-off was short-lived—Rashid Khan, delivering a skiddier full-length delivery, trapped Duckett nine runs later with the aid of DRS.

What followed was a sequence of predictable errors. Harry Brook looked composed in his first 20 deliveries but faltered, offering a simple return catch to Mohammad Nabi for 25. Jos Buttler, whose form often hinges on his mindset, survived early jitters to loft a six, sparking brief optimism. Yet, after another slog-sweep for six off Nabi, he succumbed to Azmatullah Omarzai’s persistent lengths, mistiming a pull straight to midwicket for 38, further deepening England’s woes.

Root Fights On, but Afghanistan Hold Firm in Final Overs

With wickets tumbling around him, the responsibility rested squarely on Joe Root. For much of his innings, England’s anchor seemed untroubled, cruising at a run-a-ball pace. He reached his half-century in 50 balls and his century in 98, maintaining composure even as the required rate crept up. However, with 58 runs needed from the final six overs, fatigue began to set in as cramp took hold. Attempting to accelerate, Root showcased rare improvisation with a Buttler-esque ramp shot, clearing the keeper for his only six.

Despite his resilience, it was an insurmountable task for Root alone. He continued seeking gaps, executing a delicate deflection for four through backward square. Yet, just as Afghanistan had surged during the same phase of their innings, Root’s resistance ended. Attempting to flick a skiddy short ball from Azmatullah Omarzai over deep third, he feathered a faint edge through to the keeper, dashing England’s hopes of a miraculous finish.

Afghanistan Hold Nerve in Final Overs to Seal Famous Win

Jamie Overton briefly reignited England’s hopes with a powerful 32 off 28 balls, showcasing the finishing ability he had long promised. Yet, just as the chase seemed within reach, his ambitious attempt to clear long-on with 17 runs needed backfired, leaving England with a steep ask. Jofra Archer added late drama—benefiting from an under-edge for four and a fortunate reprieve at deep cover—but couldn’t push England over the line. With 13 required from eight balls, he fell victim to Azmatullah Omarzai’s slower delivery, picking out Mohammad Nabi in the deep.

Moments later, Afghanistan celebrated a famous victory, setting up a potentially charged semi-final clash with Australia. Beyond the cricketing achievement, the win symbolized hope and joy for a nation facing adversity, underscoring the unique escapism and unity that sport can bring in challenging times.

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