Afghanistan’s opening batsman Ibrahim Zadran delivered a career-defining performance on Wednesday, scoring a monumental 177 runs against England in the Champions Trophy clash at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. This explosive innings—the highest individual score in tournament history—propelled Afghanistan to 325-7 and kept their semifinal hopes alive in Group B.
Zadran’s 146-ball masterclass featured 12 boundaries and six towering sixes, eclipsing England’s Ben Duckett’s previous record of 165 runs set just days earlier at the same venue. The 23-year-old’s timing and shot selection drew immediate praise from cricket analysts worldwide, with former Australian captain Ricky Ponting stating,
This is the kind of innings that redefines a player’s career and a team’s trajectory.
The match carried high stakes for both teams:
- Afghanistan needed a win to stay in semifinal contention
- England faced elimination with a loss
- Gaddafi Stadium’s batting-friendly pitch became a key factor
Zadran’s strategic partnerships, particularly a 98-run stand with Rahmat Shah, demonstrated Afghanistan’s growing depth in international cricket. His ability to accelerate during the death overs—scoring 62 runs off his final 28 deliveries—left England’s bowlers scrambling for answers.
This historic achievement reinforces Afghanistan’s emergence as a competitive force in global cricket. Since their 2015 World Cup debut, the team has produced multiple record-breaking performances, with Zadran now joining Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi as key contributors to the nation’s sporting legacy.
