Afghanistan’s batting sensation, Ibrahim Zadran, etched his name in the history books with a phenomenal knock of 177 runs against England in the Champions Trophy. This innings not only set new benchmarks for Afghanistan cricket but also established him as a formidable force in international cricket.
A Landmark Achievement for Ibrahim Zadran
Ibrahim Zadran’s 177 is now the highest individual score for Afghanistan in ODIs, surpassing his previous best of 162 against Sri Lanka in 2022 at Pallekele. This innings also made him the first Afghanistan batter to score a century at the Champions Trophy, adding another milestone to his illustrious career.
He had already made history in the 2023 ODI World Cup by becoming the first Afghanistan batter to score a hundred in the tournament, with an unbeaten 129 against Australia. Now, his latest feat cements his legacy further.
Breaking Champions Trophy Records
Zadran’s 177 is the highest individual score in the history of the Champions Trophy, overtaking Ben Duckett’s 165 against Australia at the same venue just days earlier.
Afghanistan’s Late Surge in the Death Overs
Afghanistan’s aggressive finish to their innings was crucial. In the final ten overs (41-50), they amassed 113 runs—one of their highest finishes in ODIs. Only twice have they scored more in this phase, with 130 runs against the UAE in 2014 and 122 against Zimbabwe in 2018.
This late acceleration came despite a sluggish start, where Afghanistan managed only 39 runs for the loss of three wickets in the first ten overs. However, a solid middle phase (overs 11-40) saw them add 173 runs, featuring nine fours and five sixes.
Ibrahim Zadran’s Evolution as a Finisher
A closer look at Zadran’s innings reveals his ability to shift gears effectively. Over his first 50 balls in ODIs, his strike rate stands at 70.77. However, after facing 50 deliveries, his strike rate surges to 101.12. This trend continued against England, where he scored just 33 runs off his first 50 balls before accelerating to add 144 off the next 96 balls.
Afghanistan’s Improved Approach Against Short Deliveries
In their previous encounter against South Africa, Afghanistan struggled against short and short-of-good-length deliveries, losing six wickets to such deliveries and scoring just 89 runs off 87 balls. However, against England, they demonstrated remarkable improvement, scoring 80 runs off 89 balls while losing just one wicket to short-length deliveries.
Jofra Archer’s Impact and England’s Struggles
England’s Jofra Archer made a strong start, claiming three wickets in the powerplay—the most he has taken in the first ten overs of an ODI. This was also the first time in 13 ODIs since 2024 that England had taken three wickets in the first ten overs.
Archer reached 50 ODI wickets in his 30th match, making him the fastest England bowler to achieve this milestone, surpassing James Anderson’s record of 31 matches. However, his performance deteriorated towards the end, conceding 64 runs in his 10-over spell, including a costly 20-run over in the 44th—his most expensive over in ODI cricket.
Conclusion
Ibrahim Zadran’s masterclass against England has not only set new records but also showcased Afghanistan’s growing prowess in international cricket. With a more confident approach against shorter lengths and a powerful middle-order performance, Afghanistan continues to challenge top-tier teams on the global stage.
This historic innings will be remembered as a defining moment in Afghanistan’s cricketing journey, proving their capability to compete and triumph on the biggest platforms.