Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai star as triumphant Afghanistan knock England out of Champions Trophy | Cricket Information – The Instances of India
NEW DELHI: Ibrahim Zadran’s magnificent 177 and Azmatullah Omarzai’s five-wicket haul propelled Afghanistan to a nail-biting eight-run win over England on Wednesday, eliminating the latter from Champions Trophy competition.
On this essential encounter at Lahore, Afghanistan amassed 325-7 earlier than dismissing England for 317 in 49.5 overs, protecting their semi-final hopes alive while ending England’s event journey.
Regardless of Joe Root’s valiant 120, England suffered their second consecutive ODI defeat to Afghanistan, following their surprising loss throughout the 2023 World Cup in India.
In a tense finale, with England requiring 13 runs from the ultimate over with one wicket remaining, Omarzai displayed outstanding composure, conceding simply 4 runs and claiming Adil Rashid’s wicket.
Afghanistan, competing amidst British political controversy concerning ladies’s rights below Taliban rule, selected to bat first, aiming to get well from their preliminary loss to South Africa.
The 23-year-old Zadran surpassed his earlier ODI report of 162, crafting a masterful 146-ball innings that included 12 boundaries and 6 maximums.
After a difficult begin at 37-3 inside 9 overs, Zadran steadied the innings by an important 103-run partnership with captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, who contributed 40 runs.
Subsequently, Zadran shaped one other important partnership of 111 runs with Mohammad Nabi, who scored a quick-fire 40 from 24 deliveries.
The 23-year-old Zadran surpassed his earlier ODI report of 162, crafting a masterful 146-ball innings that included 12 boundaries and 6 maximums.
He not solely broke his personal report for Afghanistan’s highest particular person ODI rating but additionally a event report, days after Ben Duckett’s 165 in England’s opening loss to Australia.
“I believe it was probably the greatest ODI innings I’ve ever seen,” mentioned Shahidi.
Wooden’s knee damage throughout his fourth over affected England’s bowling efficiency, limiting him to only eight overs of motion.
England’s response started poorly, with Mohammad Nabi’s first supply dismissing Jamie Smith for 9, leaving them struggling at 30-2.
Regardless of Duckett and Root stabilising the innings with a 68-run partnership, Rashid Khan ended Duckett’s innings at 38 with an lbw resolution.
A promising innings from Harry Brook ended on 25 when he supplied a return catch to Nabi, additional destabilising England’s chase.
Root maintained his composure while Buttler, after a cautious begin, struck two sixes of their 83-run stand to maintain England in competition.
Afghanistan’s disciplined bowling, that includes quite a few dot balls, paid off when Omarzai dismissed Buttler for 38, caught at deep square-leg, adopted shortly by Livingstone’s departure.
Root achieved his first ODI century in practically 5 years and 37 innings, persevering with to attain boundaries alongside Jamie Overton.
Nonetheless, Omarzai finally claimed Root’s essential wicket, having him caught behind.
“He performed an unbelievable innings tonight. The best way to deal with stress in a run-chase,” mentioned Buttler.
“He wanted one of many different high six batters to remain in with him and take the sport deeper.”
Afghanistan’s momentum continued as Omarzai claimed Overton’s wicket, and though Jofra Archer made a valiant effort in the direction of the tip, England’s marketing campaign concluded with their exit from the eight-team competitors, following Pakistan and Bangladesh’s earlier eliminations.
