Afghanistan eliminated England from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and have stayed in the competition after a thrilling victory in the high-scoring Group B match on Wednesday (February 26) at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. 

It was a must-win game for both teams to stay in the tournament, as a defeat means elimination for both teams. Afghanistan's captain chose to bat first after winning the toss. While Afghanistan scored 325/7 in 50 overs, England were all out for 317 runs.

Ibrahim Zadran recorded highest score in ICC Champions Trophy history

England took Afghans' first three wickets in the first powerplay, as Jofra Archer got all those three wickets, and Afghanistan ended the first powerplay at 39/3. However, the opener Ibrahim Zadran played one of the most memorable innings of the tournament, while the captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (40), Azmatullah Omarzai (41), and Mohammad Nabi (40) provided strong support to Zadran. 

Zadran completed his sixth ODI century in 106 balls and 150 runs in 134 balls. After scoring 177 off 146 balls with the help of 12 fours and six sixes, Zadran was out in the final over. With that knock, the Afghan opener broke the highest individual score record in ICC Champions Trophy history, which the English opener Ben Duckett (165) recorded this tournament in their previous game against Australia.  Before his dismissal, Zadran had a 103-run partnership with the skipper Shahidi, a 72-run partnership with Omarzai, and a 111-run partnership with Nabi for the fourth, fifth, and sixth wickets, respectively. 

Among the English bowlers, Jofra Archer scalped three wickets (3/64), while Liam Livingstone (2/28) got two crucial wickets in the last over of the innings, where he dismissed set batters Zadran and Nabi. 

See Also: Jofra Archer breaks James Anderson's English ODI record

Joe Root's fighting century went in vain; Azmatullah Omarzai dominated with fifer

In reply, England were losing wickets at regular intervals. At powerplay, England scored 60/2. Ben Duckett scored 38 off 45 balls and had a crucial 68-run third-wicket partnership with Joe Root before losing his wicket. Harry Brook (25) and captain Jos Buttler (38) had some useful contributions, while Root had a 35-run partnership with Brook and another 83-run partnership with Buttler for the fourth and fifth wickets, respectively, but both the batters lost wickets when the English team was in the line to dominate as Root had to watch the tough scenes from the other end. 

In the last moment, Root had a crucial 54-run partnership with Jamie Overton for the seventh wicket, which helped the England team to return to the game. Root completed his 17th ODI century in 98 balls and was dismissed by Azmatullah Omarzai in the crucial 46th over. Before his dismissal, Root, who recorded his first ODI century since the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019, scored 120 off 111 balls with 11 fours and one six. 

Jamie Overton had a valuable contribution with 32 off 28 balls but the English side just fell short of the target, as they were all out for 317 runs. 

Among the Afghan bowlers, Azmatullah Omarzai claimed a fifer as he had bowling figures of 9.5-0-58-5. Also, Mohammad Nabi had an important role like the other supporting bowlers as the off-spinner recorded the bowling figures of 8-0-57-2. 

England fast bowler Jofra Archer created new history in the ODI format for his team during the crucial Afghanistan vs England Group B match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where the right-arm fast bowler broke legendary English pacer James Anderson's record.

It is the must-win match for both England and Afghanistan to only stay in semi-final contention for this tournament. While Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is hosting the match, Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi decided to bat first after winning the toss. Afghanistan lost three wickets in the powerplay and managed to score only 39 runs. Archer dominated in that powerplay as he picked up all three wickets. 

Jofra Archer: Fastest England bowler to complete 50 ODI wickets

In the fifth over of the innings, Afghanistan lost their first wicket as the opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz was bowled by Archer for only six runs. It was Archer's 50th ODI wicket, which the right-arm fast bowler completed in 30 ODIs. It set a new record for the England team as Archer recorded the fastest English bowler to complete 50 ODI wickets. 

Legendary England right-arm pacer James Anderson was the previous record holder for the fastest England bowler to record 50 ODI wickets, as he completed it in 31 ODI matches. 

Jofra Archer recorded 3 for 64 

Coming back to the Afghanistan vs England match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Archer later dismissed Sediqullah Atal (4) and Rahmat Shah (4) cheaply in the powerplay. However, the Afghan batters later strongly handled him, as Archer ended the game with the bowling figures of 10-0-64-3. He has recorded 52 wickets in 30 ODIs.

While the Afghan opener Ibrahim Zadran brought up the dominant batting performance with 177 runs from 146 balls, the new highest individual score in ICC Champions Trophy history, he got strong support from captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (40), Azmatullah Omarzai (41), and Mohammad Nabi (40), as Afghanistan scored 325/7 in 50 overs.

In the crucial Group B match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Afghanistan vs England, Afghan opener Ibrahim Zadran rescued his nation and guided his team to a big total with his record-breaking knock. 

It is a must-win game for both teams and Afghanistan's captain Hashmatullah Shahidi chose to bat first at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Afghanistan scored 325/7 in 50 overs, which is their fifth-highest ODI total, but their highest total in an ICC ODI tournament. Also, it is the sixth-highest total in ICC Champions Trophy history. 

English fast bowler Jofra Archer provided a strong start for his team as Afghanistan were struggling at 39/3 at the end of the first powerplay. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (6), Sediqullah Atal (4), and Rahmat Shah (4) failed to reach double-digit scores as Archer took all those first three wickets.

See Also: Amazing Coincidences: Kohli and Sachin's 14,000 ODI Runs Milestone

Ibrahim Zadran powered with 177 runs, and three middle-order batters supported with 40s

From the pressure situation in the must-win game, the Afghans returned to the game with a 103-run partnership for the fourth wicket between the opener Ibrahim Zadran and the skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi. Before Adil Rashid bowled the captain, Shahidi scored 40 off 61 balls, while Zadran already completed his 50 runs in 65 balls. 

Later, Zadran and Azmatullah Omarzai set another crucial 72-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Zadran completed his sixth ODI century in 106 balls, while Omarzai scored 41 off 31 balls with one four and three sixes. After Omarzai was dismissed on the final ball of the second powerplay, Zadran and Mohammad Nabi fired up with a 111-run partnership.

Zadran reached the 150-run mark in just 134 balls and scored 177 off 146 balls before he was dismissed in the final over of the innings. The opener slammed 12 fours and six sixes in this unforgettable innings. Nabi scored 40 off 24 balls with three fours and two sixes.

With his 177 runs, Ibrahim Zadran set some great records, and these are as follows:

• Zadran recorded the highest individual score in ICC Champions Trophy history. The previous highest score record was 165 by English opener Ben Duckett against Australia at Lahore in this tournament. 
• Zadran recorded the highest individual ODI score for Afghanistan. Zadran was also the previous highest ODI score record holder for Afghanistan with 162 runs vs Sri Lanka in the 2022 Pallakele ODI. 
• Zadran recorded the fourth-highest ODI score in Pakistan.
• Also, Zadran recorded the fourth-highest ODI score against England. 

Match Details

When: Afghanistan vs England, February 26, 2.00 PM local, 2.30 PM IST

Where: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

What to expect: If the Australia-England is anything to go by, there will be a truck load of runs once more. The recent tri-series featuring Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa also saw big scores. Lahore has hosed nine ODIs since 2022, five of which have been won by the chasing side, with 300-plus totals being gunned down in the last two games. The average first innings total in these nine matches has been 297. Dew could be a factor and that might prompt captains to bowl after winning the toss.

Team news

Afghanistan

Noor Ahmad had a forgettable outing against the Proteas although the wrist spinner did pull things back a bit at the back end. Still, he had expensive figures and with nature of the tournament's format, Afghanistan might opt to get Mujeeb-ur-Rahman into the XI at Noor's expense.

Probable XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman/Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqui.

England

There will be a forced change with Brydon Carse ruled out of the tournament. Gus Atkinson, Saqib Mahmood and Jamie Overton are all in with a shout of being the replacement in the XI. However, given that Overton has a far better batting ability while also being able to bowl at a reasonable pace, he might just edge the others.

Probable XI: Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith(wk), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler(wk), Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood.

A whitewash at Rawalpindi keeps the group open. Afghanistan could come in with some more belief having beaten England in the World Cup and they will also know that spinning conditions are likely to keep them interested.

AFG vs ENG Match Details

Date: February 26th, 2025

Time:  2:30 PM IST

Venue: Gadaffi Stadium, Lahore

Afghanistan vs England Weather Report

Clear weather and a nice evening is expected for the game.

Afghanistan vs Englan Pitch Report

Average Score Batting First in the last five games: 294

Average Score Batting Second in the last five games: 280

Wins Batting First in the last five games: 3

Wins Batting Second in the last five games: 2

Lahore did show some dew when Australia chased a huge total decently well against England. Batting second could therefore work better.

See Also: 

Afghanistan vs South Africa Head to Head

AFG vs ENG Predicted Playing XI

AFG Playing XI

Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmed, Fareed Ahmed, Fazalhaq Farooqi

ENG Playing XI

Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood 

See Also: AFG vs ENG Dream XI Prediction

Afghanistan vs England Key Players

Mark Wood

Mark Wood has been backed for his raw pace but the economy has been an issue. He has not been at his best, hitting the speed guns well and is a touch unlucky as well with a lot of runs going behind the wicket. 

Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan has been a touch inactive and the mystery seems to be lying low. His bowling was picked pretty easily by South Africa. He has a good record against England though and will have to make use of a Lahore Track which has helped spin. 

AFG vs ENG Match Tips

England's recent white-ball form has been alarming. Afghanistan do have a better record as well on slower tracks but the weight of the moment could bring them down giving England a shot of fighting back.

Match Prediction: England Will Win the Match

AFG vs ENG Match Preview

One of the best aspects of the ICC Champions Trophy is the fact that teams aren't forced to wait long for their next match, but lose two in a row and you are more than likely to be sent home! That will be on the minds of both Afghanistan and England players ahead of this match, following their defeats by South Africa and Australia on Friday and Saturday, respectively. Although both lost, Afghanistan was the least competitive, appearing to be on the verge of defeat from the finish of the first over, whereas England managed to score 350 in the first innings but still saw Australia win with 15 balls remaining.

AFG vs ENG Match Details 

Afghanistan vs England – 8th Match, Champions Trophy 2025

Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Date & Time: 26th February 2025 at 02:30 PM IST 

Live Streaming: Disney+Hotstar

AFG vs ENG Venue Stats

AFG vs ENG Pitch Report

The Gaddafi Stadium at Lahore should offer a batting-friendly surface due to its consistent pace and bounce. Fast bowlers may benefit from the new ball early in the game before the spinners enter the picture. 

AFG vs ENG Weather Report

The weather will likely be partly cloudy during the day. Temperatures will approach 30 degrees Celsius, with a fair amount of humidity. There is a 5% chance of rainfall on matchday.

AFG vs ENG Last Five Matches

AFG vs ENG Head-to-Head Stats

Afghanistan vs England Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

Also Read: WPL 2025: DCW vs GGW Dream11 Prediction

AFG vs ENG Probable Playing XIs:

England Probable Playing XIs

Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith (wk), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c), Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

Afghanistan Probable Playing XIs

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Topmost Picks for AFG vs ENG Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – Afghanistan

• Rahmanullah Gurbaz – Afghanistan's wicketkeeper-batsman, Rahmanullah Gurbaz struggled against South Africa, losing the wicket to Lungi Ngidi after only 10 runs.
• Rashid Khan – Rashid Khan, with 15 wickets in 7 matches, has been the Afghans' best bowler during that time.

Top Picks – England

• Ben Duckett – Ben Duckett, maintained his good form with a 165-run knock against the mighty Australians in the first match, remaining at the crease until the 48th over after opening the innings.
• Adil Rashid – He took one wicket and could have had another if Archer hadn't dropped a catch, giving Alex Carey a lifeline.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for Afghanistan vs England Dream11 Team:

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Jos Buttler, Rahmat Shah, Ben Duckett, Joe Root(C), Liam Livingstone, Azmatullah Omarzai(VC), Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for Afghanistan vs England Dream11 Team:

Rahmanullah Gurbaz(VC), Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Rahmat Shah, Ben Duckett(C), Joe Root, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Ben Duckett, Joe Root

Vice-captain – Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Azmatullah Omarzai

Wicketkeeper – Rahmanullah Gurbaz

AFG vs ENG Probable Winners:

Brydon Carse was England's most costly bowler on Saturday, so they can choose a more cost-effective member of the attack in this match. That could be a blessing in disguise, and while we don't expect a dominant victory, we predict England will win on Wednesday. Considering the team combination, England is expected to win this match.

On the crucial day of the England cricket team in the Group B match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the legendary English cricketer Joe Root recorded his 17th ODI century, and it was his first ODI hundred after the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. 

The Afghanistan vs England match is a very important match of the tournament as the winners will stay in the race for the semi-final qualifications and the losers will be eliminated before their last match of the group. After winning the toss, Afghanistan scored 325/7 in 50 overs, as Ibrahim Zadran powered with middle-order support guided the team to a challenging total after recovering from the first powerplay total of 39/3. 

Joe Root recorded his 17th ODI century, first after the World Cup 2019

In big chasing, England were losing wickets at regular intervals, which has been a regular scenario since Brendon McCullum's white-ball coaching era started. Joe Root joined the crease after England lost two quick wickets for 30 runs in 6.1 overs. Root had a 68-run partnership with the opener Ben Duckett for the third wicket. After Duckett was dismissed for 38 runs, Harry Brook (25) and captain Jos Buttler (38) lost their wickets at the crucial stages, while Root was fighting by completing his 50 runs in 50 balls.

Root fought hard while Jamie Overton provided good support for him for the seventh wicket, where they had a 54-run partnership. Root completed his century in 98 balls. It was his 17th ODI hundred but his first after the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019. Previously, the right-handed batter recorded an ODI hundred against West Indies during the league stage of the ODI World Cup 2019.  

Before the Afghan hero Azmatullah Omarzai took the wicket of Root in the 46th over, Root scored 120 off 111 balls with 11 fours and one six. England ultimately lost the game by eight runs.

See Also: Jofra Archer breaks James Anderson's English ODI record

Joe Root: First player to score more than one 120 or more runs knock in ICC Champions Trophy history

It was Root's second century in ICC Champions Trophy history. During the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 group-stage match against Bangladesh, Root scored 133 not out. With his latest century, he equalled the record for most centuries in ICC Champions Trophy history for England with Marcus Trescothik. On the other hand, with his latest 120 runs, Root became the first batter in ICC Champions Trophy history to score two 120 or more runs.