Afghanistan Stuns England with 8-Run Victory, Ends England's Champions Trophy 2025 Campaign

Afghanistan has once again made history in ICC's mega events, stunning England with an 8-run victory in the Champions Trophy 2025. This marks the second consecutive upset for England by Afghanistan, following their memorable win in the 2023 ODI World Cup in Delhi, where they defeated England by 69 runs. Now, Afghanistan has repeated their success in the Champions Trophy, with Nabi, Rashid, and the team securing a remarkable victory.

The match, which started with both teams suffering defeats in their opening games, became a knockout contest for both. With this win, Afghanistan kept their semi-final hopes alive and dealt a significant blow to England's campaign.

Afghanistan Sets a Challenging Total

Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bat first at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium. They set a daunting target of 325/7 in 50 overs, with the star performer being Ibrahim Zadran, who scored an outstanding 177 runs. Zadran’s remarkable knock not only anchored Afghanistan's innings but also set a new record for the highest individual score in the Champions Trophy.

Afghanistan’s innings was a story of resilience. After being at 37/3, they managed to reach 325/7, thanks to Zadran’s brilliance and crucial contributions from Hashmatullah Shahidi (40), Azmatullah Omarzai (41), and Mohammad Nabi (40). Despite losing quick wickets early, Zadran's partnership with the middle order ensured a competitive total.

England Falls Short in Chase

Chasing a challenging target, England started poorly, losing two wickets early. However, Joe Root played a steady knock, reaching his century in 98 balls. Despite his efforts, England struggled to keep up with the required run rate. In a thrilling final over, England fell short, losing by just 8 runs.

This defeat sealed England's exit from the tournament, as they failed to advance to the semi-finals. Afghanistan's win over England not only eliminated the 2019 World Cup champions but also added another chapter to Afghanistan’s rise in international cricket. The victory continues Afghanistan's reputation for producing shocking results on the world stage.

Afghanistan’s Remarkable Campaign Continues

With this victory, Afghanistan keeps their hopes alive for a semi-final spot. They will now look forward to their upcoming matches, aiming to make an impact on the Champions Trophy 2025. For England, this loss marks the end of their campaign, as they are now officially eliminated from the competition.