Match 8 of the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025 pitted Afghanistan against England. On Wednesday, February 26, the Blue Tigers overcame the Three Lions by eight runs in order to maintain their hopes of reaching the semi-finals. Azmatullah Omarzai and Ibrahim Zadran’s outstanding efforts helped Afghanistan defeat England at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, eliminating the Jos Buttler team from the competition.
Having won the toss and decided to bat first, Hashmatullah Shahidi dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, and Rahmat Shah with the new ball. Jofra Archer took each of those three wickets.
The crucial 103-run partnership between Shahidi and Zadran off 124 balls gave Afghan supporters hope for a comeback. Following Shahidi’s departure for 40, Omarzai launched an assault on the English bowlers, smashing 41 off 31 balls. Mohammad Nabi too made a strong appearance, scoring 40 off of 24 deliveries. However, Zadran stole the show when he smashed his second score of 150 or higher. In the last over, Liam Livingstone removed the right-handed batsman who had hit 177 off 146 balls.
With three runs for sixty-four in ten overs, Archer was brilliant with the ball as Afghanistan finished their innings at 325/7.
Afghanistan’s first breakthrough came when Omarzai dismissed Phil Salt in the fourth over. Jamie Smith attempted to defeat Muhammad Nabi but was unsuccessful. In the seventh over, the wicketkeeper was removed, and England required a partnership to recover. Together, Ben Duckett and Joe Root scored 68 runs for the third wicket, helping the Three Lions rally.
As soon as possible, Harry Brook departed. Jos Buttler joined Joe Root in the middle, and the two men established an important 83-run combination off 91 balls.
It looked like a dangerous romance, but Omarzai broke it off in the 37th over. Even Liam Livingstone passed away young. With Jamie Overton at his side, Root had the responsibility of leading England to victory. Omarzai dismissed the former England Test captain after he had hit 120 from 111 balls. Overton did his hardest, but his innings of 32 runs ended in the 48th over. In the end, Afghanistan eliminated England for 317 in 49.5 overs to remain in the competition.
Here are top 10 memes from Afghanistan vs England match:
Afghanistan in recent white ball tournaments
pic.twitter.com/NzoLWYDcq4
— Shivani (@meme_ki_diwani) February 26, 2025
When the first three teams to go out of Champions trophy are West Pakistan, East Pakistan and England pic.twitter.com/Pz0LgKNYJP
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) February 26, 2025
#ENGvsAFG pic.twitter.com/8DvvXackYc
— ✧ (@nahikarnibatein) February 26, 2025
Arrey uncle, why are you still in the colonised era?
2025 hai. #ChampionsTrophy2025 #ENGvsAFG pic.twitter.com/XrpdFU4iA0
— Aakash Sivasubramaniam (@aakashs26) February 26, 2025
Prayer circle:
Win
— कट्टर INDIA समर्थक
™ (@KKRWeRule) February 26, 2025
Both teams in #ENGvsAFG match pic.twitter.com/B7h8gPJFmR
— Out Of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket) February 26, 2025
What a Inning by Zadran #ENGvsAFG pic.twitter.com/uUBWx9zncn
— Cricket Tak
Search of Gold England team Definitely Lost a Diamond..
#ENGvsAFG #ChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/lrkw3olG03
— Diptiman Yadav (@diptiman_6450) February 26, 2025
The only Pakistani who is happy rn #ENGvsAFG pic.twitter.com/CY7oUlQ3Xz
— Mahnoor Tariq (@mahnoorealistic) February 26, 2025
Bro looks d3ad from inside #AFGvENG #ENGvsAFG #ChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/73CDlko6X7
— Atool
(@abee_hattt) February 26, 2025
India
