By Rohit - Feb 27, 2025 06:02 PM
In a stunning display of skill and determination, Ibrahim Zadran has etched his name into the record books yet again, delivering a performance for the ages in the ongoing Champions Trophy. The young Afghan batter, who had already made history by becoming the first from his nation to score a World Cup hundred, has now achieved another milestone with his sensational 177-run knock against England. This innings not only solidified his reputation as one of Afghanistan’s brightest talents but also set a new benchmark for individual performances in the Champions Trophy.
Zadran’s 177 is now the highest individual score in the history of the Champions Trophy, surpassing Ben Duckett’s 165 against Australia earlier in the tournament. This monumental effort also eclipsed his previous best of 162 against Sri Lanka in 2022, making it the highest score by an Afghan batter in ODIs. Zadran’s ability to rise to the occasion on the biggest stages has been a hallmark of his career, and this innings further cements his status as a cornerstone of Afghanistan’s batting lineup.
What made Zadran’s innings even more remarkable was his adaptability. Afghanistan had a shaky start, scoring just 39 runs in the first ten overs while losing three wickets. However, Zadran anchored the innings brilliantly, scoring 33 runs off his first 50 balls before accelerating to a strike rate of over 100. His partnership with Rahmat Shah and the lower order propelled Afghanistan to a competitive total, with 113 runs coming in the last ten overs—a phase where Afghanistan has historically struggled.
Zadran’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. He was the first Afghan batter to score a century at an ODI World Cup, achieving the feat against Australia in 2023. Now, he has added another first to his name by becoming the first Afghan to score a century in the Champions Trophy. His ability to perform under pressure and deliver when it matters most has made him a key figure in Afghanistan’s rise as a competitive cricketing nation.
While Zadran’s heroics stole the show, England’s woes in ODIs continued. Jofra Archer, despite becoming the fastest England bowler to reach 50 ODI wickets, had a mixed day. He took three wickets in the powerplay—his best performance in the first ten overs of an ODI—but ended up conceding 64 runs, including a 20-run over, the most expensive of his ODI career. England’s batting also faltered, with Joe Root scoring his first ODI century since 2019. Despite Root’s efforts, England suffered their sixth consecutive ODI defeat, equaling their worst streak from 2009.
Afghanistan’s bowlers also played a crucial role in the victory. Azmatullah Omarzai became the third Afghan fast bowler to take a five-wicket haul in ODIs, joining Gulbadin Naib and Hamid Hassan. His performance was historic, as it was the first five-wicket haul by an Afghan bowler at an ICC ODI event. Omarzai’s all-round contribution—41 runs and five wickets—drew comparisons to Sachin Tendulkar, who had achieved a similar feat in the 1998 Champions Trophy.
The 2024 Champions Trophy has already witnessed 11 centuries in just seven completed matches, the most in any edition of the tournament. This statistic underscores the high-quality batting on display and the competitive nature of the event. Zadran’s 177 stands out as the pinnacle of these performances, a testament to his growing stature in international cricket.
For England, the defeat is a stark reminder of their recent struggles in the ODI format. With six consecutive losses, the team will need to regroup quickly if they are to turn their fortunes around. Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s dream run continues, and with players like Zadran leading the charge, the future looks incredibly bright.
Also Read: Top 5 highest individual scores in ICC Champions Trophy
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