Afghanistan beats England in a Knockout Thriller of Champions Trophy

-By Dr. AK Rana In a high-voltage encounter, Afghanistan pulled off a sensational victory over England in a knockout match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, marking the second time they have defeated England in an ICC event. And what a match it was—one that kept viewers on their toes till the very last ball!

The match became a virtual knockout after Australia vs. South Africa was washed out due to rain, leaving England and Afghanistan battling for a spot in the semifinals. Most believed Afghanistan would be the team to exit, but what they delivered was a masterclass in grit, determination, and fearless cricket.

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Afghanistan’s Bold Start & a Firecracker Partnership – champions trophy

Winning the toss, Afghanistan chose to bat first—a bold move against a formidable English attack. But their innings started on a nightmare note, with four early wickets tumbling like a house of cards. At that moment, a total of 200 seemed like a distant dream.

Then walked in Ibrahim, who turned the game on its head with a knock of sheer brilliance. He blazed his way past a century, then 150, and nearly reached a double century—a batting masterclass under pressure. At the other end, the experienced Mohammad Nabi played a perfect partner, smashing runs at a stunning strike rate of 200.

The duo wasn’t just hitting sixes and fours—they were running two runs on nearly every ball. Fatigue, pressure, the stakes—nothing fazed them. What looked like an innings heading for disaster soared past 300, a total that suddenly put Afghanistan in the driver’s seat.

England’s Chase & Afghanistan’s Never-Say-Die Spirit

The pitch favored chasing—this was the same ground where Australia had chased down 350+ against England. True to expectations, England began strongly. Joe Root held the innings together, and at one stage, it seemed like England wouldn’t even need all 50 overs to reach the target.

But Afghanistan’s bowlers and fielders refused to back down. They fought for every run, even as fielding errors and missed chances created anxious moments. Rashid Khan’s dropped catch of Jofra Archer sent a cold wave through the stadium, but Nabi’s stunning grab moments later turned the tide again.

In the final over, Azmatullah Omarzai held his nerve. England needed big shots, but Afghanistan’s fielding traps worked to perfection. A desperate swing in the last moments led to the final wicket, sealing a historic win for Afghanistan!

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A Statement to the Cricketing World – Champios trophy 2025

This match joins the ranks of unforgettable upsets—Zimbabwe vs. Pakistan, Netherlands vs. South Africa, and now Afghanistan vs. England. Afghanistan has sent a clear message to the cricketing world—they are no longer underdogs, but contenders.

What stood out was their unwavering spirit—from being four down early to scoring over 300, from missed chances to a stunning comeback, they played with passion and belief till the very last ball.

The cricket world better take note—Afghanistan is a team to be feared.

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also read How to Analyze India’s Victory Over Pakistan in Champions Trophy 2025?