Cricket: Afghanistan stun England in Champions Trophy classic

Afghanistan eliminated England from the Champions Trophy on Thursday morning (AEDT) in Lahore, winning by eight runs thanks to Ibrahim Zadran’s record-breaking 177 and Azmatullah Omarzai’s five wickets.

The tournament minnows came into the must-win clash as heavy underdogs, paying as long as $3.50 with top online bookmakers.

Those cricket betting odds appeared to be accurate when, batting first, Afghanistan slumped to 37/2 after nine overs.

However, the lowest-ranked team in Group B launched an impressive comeback, with Zadran and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (40) putting on a 103-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

The former would go on to make the highest score in Champions Trophy history, plundering 177 runs from 146 balls and remaining in the middle from the first over until the last.

Zadran found company from all-rounders Omarzai (41) and Mohammad Nabi (40) after his captain fell, hauling Afghanistan to an impressive 325/7 from their 50 overs.

In response, England also had an early wobble, losing both Phil Salt (12) and Jamie Smith (9) cheaply.

However, Ben Duckett combined with Joe Root for a stablising partnership to take his side through to 98/3.

Though Duckett fell for 38, Root went on to make a brilliant 120 to take England within reach of victory.

The former captain’s ton, plus handy knocks by Harry Brook (25), Jos Buttler (38) and Jamie Overton (32), meant that with four overs to go, England were sitting pretty with just 35 runs required.

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Omarzai continued to stifle with the ball, though, claiming two wickets at the death to end with figures of 5/58 and leave England all out on the penultimate ball, eight runs short.

“As a team we are happy and I’m sure the whole nation will be happy with this win,” Shahidi said after the match.

“The first time we beat them in the 2023 World Cup. 

“I keep saying that we are improving day by day as a team, and that’s what we’ve showed at the last couple of World Cups. 

“Today it was a tense game, but we controlled it really well. I’m happy with the result.”

The result means England, who are winless from two matches in Group B, have no chance of advancing to the Champions Trophy semi-finals.

Afghanistan, on the other hand, play Australia in a winner-takes-all clash on Friday, and top bookie Marantelli Bet has them priced as significant underdogs again at $4.

Outright betting odds for the 2025 Champions Trophy have shifted after England’s elimination, with just five teams now capable of winning the title.

India still head the market at $2.37 with BetOnline, followed by Australia ($4.50), New Zealand ($4.75), South Africa ($5) and Afghanistan ($29).

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