The high-stakes match between Afghanistan and England at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday, February 26 saw Ibrahim Zadran smash his sixth ODI century. By using appropriate cricketing shots, the right-handed batter completely outplayed the English bowlers.
After taking two wickets with the new ball, Jofra Archer was on fire, but Ibrahim Zadran blasted back-to-back boundaries off him in the seventh over of the first innings.
The mid-off fielder made a heroic dive to his right, but was unable to save the second boundary, which was a superb straight shot. Zadran kept his elbow straight and offered the bat’s entire face. Cricket purists found the look attractive.
Watch the video below:
#IbrahimZadran showcases pure elegance as he drives #JofraArcher straight down the ground with perfection! 🏏✨#ChampionsTrophyOnJioStar 👉 #AFGvENG | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 2 & Sports18-1
📺📱 Start Watching FREE on JioHotstar! pic.twitter.com/sY8TW7ZQHe— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 26, 2025
In the ninth over, Afghanistan lost their third wicket and desperately needed a partner. After Zadran was joined by Afghan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, they scored 103 runs for the fourth wicket. Zadran was joined in the center by Azmatullah Omarzai after Shahidi left for forty. During his knock of 41, the former struck three sixes and one boundary. Mohammad Nabi added a 40 off 24 balls as well.
Zadran, however, stole the stage with a career-high 177 off just 146 balls. He had a brilliant knock, hitting six maximums and twelve fours. In 50 overs, Afghanistan’s innings ended with 325/7.
Joe Root leaves after reaching his first ODI century in nearly five years.
Phil Salt and Jamie Smith were both quickly dismissed by England before Ben Duckett and Joe Root formed a strong partnership. In the 22nd over, England lost four wickets for 133 runs as Duckett and Harry Brook were unable to build on their beginnings.
Root and Jos Buttler put England in a stable position with an additional 83 runs. Buttler, on the other hand, was sent off against the flow of play. Following the dismissal of Liam Livingstone for an eight-ball ten, Root scored his first ODI century in nearly five years.
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