| Team name | Score |
| Afghanistan WON | 325 – 7 (50.0 overs) |
| England | 317 all out (49.5 overs) |
Afghanistan vs England
Afghanistan Triumphs by 8 Runs!
Adil Rashid falls! Caught on the boundary while attempting a big hit—he couldn’t clear the ropes. Afghanistan erupts in celebration, creating unforgettable scenes in Lahore. England is eliminated and looks utterly devastated. A thrilling match with non-stop drama until the very end!
Wood struggles to hit the boundary. England needs nine runs from two balls. The tension is palpable!
A quick single down the ground to Rashid. 12 needed off 5 balls. Wood takes strike.
49th Over: England 313-9 (Rashid 3, Wood)
Can Wood manage two runs? Rashid might need to hit boundaries solo. I’ll update ball by ball for the final over. What a thrilling match!
Wood blocks, and it’s a dot ball. 13 required off 6, with Rashid on strike.
WICKET! Jofra Archer c Mohammad Nabi b Fazalhaq Farooqi 14 (England 9 down!)
Jofra skies it to the deep! Nabi takes a comfortable catch, and England lose their ninth wicket.
Here’s Adil Rashid. He nudges a single off his first ball with a cautious push. He’ll retain the strike for the penultimate over. Brilliant bowling from Azmatullah Omarzai, who now has four wickets – 4-54 on a flat pitch and under immense pressure.
16 runs needed from 12 balls, with two wickets in hand. Either England or Afghanistan will exit soon. It all comes down to who can stay calm and seize the crucial moment.
WICKET! Overton c Mohammad Nabi b Azmatullah Omarzai 32 (England 309-8)
The game isn’t over yet!
47th Over: England 301-7 (Overton 27, Archer 11)
Archer sprints for two and makes it safely. Farooqi bowls fuller but hasn’t unleashed his deadly yorker yet, a delivery he masters. Four! Jofra gets an inside edge, and the ball races past the stumps and the keeper for a boundary. England adds ten runs this over.
25 runs needed from 18 balls. Here’s some thrilling news: If the match ends in a tie, we’ll have a super over—every cricket fan’s favorite decider!
46th Over: England 291-7 (Overton 21, Archer 4)
Root exits the field slowly and cautiously, clearly exhausted after pushing his limits. Archer’s first shot might lift spirits—a powerful back-foot punch races to the boundary for four. Just what England needed.
WICKET! Joe Root c Rahmanullah Gurbaz b Azmatullah Omarzai (England 287-7)
England faces a tougher challenge now, losing Joe Root. Chaos erupts in Lahore. Root attempts a back cut off Azmatullah’s delivery. The bowler’s fiery delivery takes the glove, and Gurbaz makes no mistake with the catch.
England now needs 39 runs from 25 balls. Jofra Archer joins Jamie Overton at the crease, with the pressure mounting.
WICKET JOE ROOT OUT!
45th Over: England 278-6 (Root 114, Overton 21)
Ten runs come off the over, featuring a stunning ramped six and four hard-earned singles by Root, who is visibly battling cramps. On the final ball, Root tries another reverse hit, getting a faint edge, but it falls just short of Gurbaz. No risk, no reward, right?
England requires 48 runs from 30 balls. Afghanistan desperately needs breakthroughs.
44th Over: England 268-6 (Root 107, Overton 18)
Rashid Khan bowls his final over. Despite severe cramps, Root handles him expertly, as he has all game. Seven runs come from the over. Afghanistan begins to show tension, with loud shouts and exchanges among their players.
43rd Over: England 261-6 (Root 102, Overton 16)
Jamie Overton steps up, delivering two perfectly timed boundaries. He’s the hero England needs right now. Farooqi’s short deliveries are no match for Overtone’s power and reach as he pulls away for back-to-back fours. Ten runs come off the over. Overtone’s arrival is timely, with Root hydrating to fend off cramps for the final push.
42nd Over: England 251-6 (Root 101, Overton 7)
Rashid Khan returns to the attack, with two overs remaining.
Root nudges one to the leg side, securing the single that brings up his 17th ODI century—his first in six years! His celebration is subdued, as his focus remains on steering England to victory. If Root falls now, England’s chances could crumble. This has been an exceptional innings under immense pressure.
The over yields six runs. Rashid has just one over left.
England requires 75 runs from 48 balls.
41st Over: England 245-6 (Root 99, Overton 3)
Jos Buttler, struggling for form, watches anxiously from the dugout. Cricket can be unforgiving. Root lightens the mood with a stylish pull shot to the midwicket boundary for four. Some bold running adds nine runs to the total. Root moves to 99, with 81 needed off 54 balls.
40th Over: England 236-6 (Root 91, Overton 2)
Noor Ahmad receives his second (and final) warning for running on the pitch. Umpire Joel Wilson reprimands him like a strict teacher. Overton struggles to rotate the strike, facing four dot balls after Root’s single. The required rate climbs close to nine runs per over.
Jamie Overton steps in to partner Joe Root. England require 93 runs off 68 balls. Afghanistan are chasing four more wickets.
WICKET! Livingstone c Rahmanullah Gurbaz b Gulbadin Naib 10 (England 233-6)
Afghanistan switch to pace, bringing Gulbadin into the attack. Livingstone hits a drive for four but edges a fierce cut shot, and Gurbaz takes a sharp catch behind the stumps. The match is heading down to the wire!
38th Over: England 228-5 (Root 90, Livingstone 6)
Afghanistan steps up the pressure, placing a slip for Livingstone. Noor Ahmad outsmarts him with a sharp googly, drawing a cautious poke. A single down the ground shifts the strike to Root. And what a shot! Root executes a perfect reverse sweep off the final ball, racing away for four. Pure class from Root.
37th Over: England 220-5 (Root 84, Livingstone 4)
Livingstone gets off the mark with an edged four. England will take runs any way they come. The match remains finely balanced, teetering on a knife’s edge.
Liam Livingstone joins Root at the crease, with England requiring 110 runs from 79 balls. He appeared to strain his calf while fielding—can he bat effectively? The word “properly” feels uncertain here.
WICKET! Buttler c Rahmat Shah b Azmatullah Omarzai 38 (England 216-5)
A game-changing moment! Buttler attempts to smash a short ball from Azmatullah for six. However, he top-edges it. The ball lands safely in the hands of Rahmat Shah in the deep. A massive breakthrough—this is huge!
36th Over: England 214-4 (Root 83, Buttler 37)
Rashid Khan tightens the grip, conceding just two runs from his first five balls. The pressure mounts on England. Root seizes the moment. He punishes a short delivery from Khan with a powerful four. It is reminiscent of an 80s bass player in full swing.
35th Over: England 208-4 (Root 78, Buttler 36)
Azmatullah steps in for the injured Farooqi and delivers a tight over, giving away only five runs. England’s progress slows as the bowlers maintain control.
34th Over: England 203-4 (Root 76, Buttler 34)
Rashid Khan almost breaches Root’s defense, but the batter reacts swiftly to block it. The over yields six runs, taking England past the 200 mark.
Earlier, Duckett fell shortly after the first drinks break. Now, Rashid Khan aims to strike again as the second hydration break concludes.
33rd Over: England 197-4 (Root 74, Buttler 30)
Seven runs come off the over, with Joe Root anchoring the innings in his trademark elegant style. His presence keeps England in the hunt. However, the game feels far from over, with potential twists still looming. Drinks are taken. England needs 129 off 17 overs. Afghanistan must either halt the scoring. Alternatively, they need to claim six more wickets to stay alive.
32nd Over: England 190-4 (Root 71, Buttler 26)
One shot, two results! Buttler hammers Nabi over cow corner for a massive SIX. This also marks the 50-run partnership between Root and Buttler. England now requires 136 runs to win. Stay tuned—this is getting exciting!
31st Over: England 181-4 (Root 69, Buttler 19)
Root hits the innings’ first six, then drives a powerful four through cover. England finally show signs of life after a long stretch of cautious play.
30th Over: England 172-4 (Root 61, Buttler 18)
Buttler, looking uneasy at the crease, silences his doubts by smashing Nabi into the stands! A confident shot with perfect footwork. This is both thrilling and nerve-wracking to watch.
29th Over: England 163-4 (Root 59, Buttler 11)
Noor almost gets Buttler with a skidding delivery! How much more tension can you handle?!
28th Over: England 160-4 (Root 57, Buttler 11)
Jos Buttler comes agonizingly close. A near-miss moment that could have changed everything.
27th Over: England 153-4 (Root 52, Buttler 9)
The tension is palpable, stretching from Lahore to London. Imagine the chaos of Clapham Junction station during Monday morning rush hour—this feels just as intense. Thankfully, the cricket field lacks the lingering scent of stale sausage rolls.
26th Over: England 151-4 (Root 51, Buttler 8)
Joe Root, England’s ever-reliable anchor, reaches his 46th ODI fifty with a single off Khan. It’s been over four years since his last ODI century, dating back to the 2019 World Cup. Today, he might just need to break that drought to keep England’s hopes alive in the tournament. Focus sharp, Joe.
25th Over: England 147-4 (Root 49, Buttler 6)
Noor continues with his left-arm spin, delivering quick, accurate darts. England picks up five singles, rotating the strike comfortably. With 179 runs needed from the last 25 overs, the target feels daunting at this stage.
24th Over: England 142-4 (Root 46, Buttler 4)
Root and Buttler remain cautious, carefully playing Khan off the back foot. The tension is palpable, thick enough to slice with a knife.
23rd over: England 137-4 (Root 44, Buttler 1)
Rashid Khan has Buttler on toast five times in the 78 balls he’s bowled to him. I’m sure we’ll see him come back for a burst in a second or two. Noor continues for the time being and skids one past Buttler’s edge!
I wonder what Buttler, if anything, Buttler has written on the top of his bat handle…? Suggestions welcome. Here comes Rashid Khan.
22nd Over: England 135-4 (Root 43, Buttler 1)
Tense moments for England at the crease. Buttler settles in and nudges a single to long leg to open his account. Root reciprocates off the final delivery, leaving Buttler on strike for the next over. Can the skipper step up and deliver a match-defining knock?
WICKET! Harry Brook c & b Mohammad Nabi 25 (England 133-4)
Harry Brook, what have you done? He looked in sublime touch for his first 20 deliveries but threw it away with a soft return catch off an ordinary ball. Ugh. This piles pressure on Root and the incoming Jos Buttler. Nabi can’t believe his luck!
17th Over: England 103-3 (Root 32, Brook 4)
England needs Harry Brook to deliver immediately in Lahore. He starts confidently, guiding his first ball past point for four. Meanwhile, Rashid Khan’s dismissal of Duckett brings him to 199 ODI wickets. A crucial moment in the match!
WICKET! Duckett lbw b Rashid Khan 38 (England 98-3)
Massive breakthrough! Duckett is trapped LBW, stuck deep in his crease, just after the drinks break. Umpire Rod Tucker initially says no, but Rashid Khan is convinced and urges a review. The decision is overturned—the ball pitched in line and was crashing into middle stump. Duckett departs, and the pressure mounts on England.
16th Over: England 97-2 (Duckett 38, Root 32)
England head into the drinks break after an absorbing first hour of the chase. The contest remains finely balanced, with neither side gaining a clear advantage.
15th Over: England 93-2 (Duckett 36, Root 30)
Rashid Khan continues to bowl slightly short. This allows Root and Duckett to work the ball around for four runs off the first five deliveries. Khan aims to keep the over economical, but a final short ball is expertly guided by Root through the gap, perfectly timed for a boundary.
14th Over: England 85-2 (Duckett 32, Root 25)
The atmosphere in the field has quietened for Afghanistan following the dropped chance. Five runs are added in the over as the partnership between Duckett and Root grows steadily, boosting England’s hopes in the process.
13th Over: England 80-2 (Duckett 30, Root 24)
The crowd erupts in applause as Rashid Khan’s name echoes through the stadium’s sound system. Duckett pivots gracefully. He executes a perfectly timed shot. The ball races past the fielder at the square leg boundary. Khan delivers with his trademark speed. However, a slight lack of length lets the English batsmen settle. They maneuver the ball into the gaps. The duo brings up their fifty-run partnership in just 40 deliveries, showcasing their growing confidence at the crease.
12th Over: England 70-2 (Duckett 24, Root 20)
Farooqi delivers a disciplined over, skillfully alternating between full pace, slower deliveries, and cutters to keep England in check. The batters manage only two singles, showcasing Farooqi’s control and variety.
11th Over: England 68-2 (Duckett 22, Root 19)
Nabi concedes four singles before Root displays his tactical brilliance. As the fielder shifts finer at deep third, Root instantly exploits the gap with a well-executed reverse sweep. It’s a classic game of cat and mouse unfolding in Lahore.
10th Over: England 60-2 (Duckett 20, Root 13)
What a shot! Duckett drives elegantly on the rise for four, but Azmatullah almost turns the tables. He runs his fingers down the seam and takes the pace off the ball. Duckett is deceived. He mistimes his shot and nearly offers a simple catch to mid-on. With the powerplay now complete, Afghanistan can tighten their grip as the fielding restrictions are lifted.
9th Over: England 54-2 (Duckett 15, Root 13)
England begins to counterattack through Root and Duckett. Duckett hammers a drive over mid-on and collects four runs off Nabi. He follows it up with a sharp cut for a single. This brings up England’s fifty. Root then showcases his creativity with a sublime reverse-paddle that races past fine leg for another boundary. Despite these positive signs, the target of 326 still looms large. These two need to forge a substantial partnership to keep England in the game. Should I cue the obvious cymbal for emphasis?
8th Over: England 43-2 (Duckett 7, Root 9)
Root offers England some much-needed respite. He flicks Azmatullah off his pads with precision and sends the ball to the boundary for four. A timely shot to ease the pressure.
7th Over: England 39-2 (Duckett 7, Root 5)
Nabi focuses on skidding the ball into the batsman’s pads and targeting the stumps. The win predictor now heavily favors Afghanistan, showing an 87% chance of victory. Root stays deep in his crease and elegantly drives the ball for a stylish boundary. After taking a moment to compose himself, he nudges a single to midwicket, bringing Duckett back on strike.
WICKET! Smith c Azmatullah Omarzai b Mohammad Nabi 9 (England 30-2)
Out! Jamie Smith charges at Mohammad Nabi’s very first delivery but mistimes it completely, sending a straightforward catch to point. It’s a moment of inexperience from Smith against the crafty veteran. A lesson learned the hard way! Joe Root steps in with England now in a precarious position.
6th Over: England 30-1 (Duckett 7, Smith 9)
Duckett hustles to the non-striker’s end with a leg bye. He’s been starved of the strike so far, having faced only ten of the first 30-odd deliveries. Smith, on the other hand, shows his class by flicking one off his pads through midwicket for a well-timed four. He then nudges a thick outside edge down to third for a single, keeping the scoreboard ticking.
5th Over: England 24-1 (Duckett 7, Smith 4)
Jamie Smith steps in as England’s number three, facing a daunting win-predictor that heavily favors Afghanistan at 79%. That stat might just take a slight dip! Smith gets off the mark in style, square-driving a delivery to the boundary for a confident four.
WICKET! Salt b Azmatullah Omarzai 12 (England 19-1)
Oh no! A poor shot from Salt, who attempts a pull to the leg side but misjudges the length. The ball is much fuller than expected. It sneaks through and clips the bails. They fly like a pair of raised eyebrows. Afghanistan erupts in celebration!
3rd Over: England 17-0 (Salt 11, Duckett 6)
Salt gets an inside edge past the keeper for a single after nudging one off his hip for a couple. Duckett flicks a delivery into the leg side for two runs. His bat swing is reminiscent of a carefree teenager from the mid-2000s.
2nd Over: England 12-0 (Salt 8, Duckett 4)
Azmatullah Omarzai takes the ball from the other end. England knows they must capitalize on the seamers during the powerplay before the spinners take control later. Duckett reaches his 1000th ODI run with a stylish drive through cover for four. As England’s in-form player across all formats, his wicket is highly prized today.
1st Over: England 8-0 (Salt 8, Duckett 0)
Fazalhaq Farooqi, the 24-year-old left-arm seamer, opens the attack for Afghanistan. Phil Salt is on strike. Action begins!
Farooqi charges in, and his first delivery is a half-volley that Salt confidently dispatches through cover for four. A perfect start for Salt and England. Switching to around the wicket, Farooqi changes his line. However, a slightly wide length ball gives Salt the chance to free his arms. Salt smashes another boundary. Farooqi responds brilliantly, shaping one away late to beat Salt’s edge. A dot ball concludes the over, leaving both sides with reasons to feel optimistic. One, two, three.
WICKET! Nabi c Root b Livingstone 40 (Afghanistan 324-7)
Livingstone strikes again! Perhaps bowling the final over isn’t as daunting as it seems. Nabi goes for a wild swing but only manages to sky the ball high into the air. Root, stationed at deep midwicket, backpedals and takes a comfortable catch to dismiss Nabi.
WICKET! Ibrahim c Archer b Livingstone 177 (Afghanistan 323-6)
One of the most memorable ODI innings comes to a close. Livingstone, entrusted with the final over, starts with a leg-break. Ibrahim attempts a slog-sweep, sending the ball high towards long leg, but it falls short of clearing the boundary. Archer makes no mistake, holding onto the catch. A truly extraordinary innings comes to an end as the young batsman walks off to a well-deserved standing ovation from the crowd.
49th Over: Afghanistan 323-5 (Ibrahim 176, Nabi 40)
Overton takes charge of the penultimate over (who will handle the final one?) and mixes up his lines and lengths, making it tough for the batsmen to score. However, the fifth delivery lands perfectly in the slot, and Ibrahim seizes the opportunity, launching a powerful swing that sends the ball soaring for another six straight down the ground.
48th Over: Afghanistan 309-5 (Ibrahim 167, Nabi 38)
Ibrahim Zadran has just etched his name into Champions Trophy history with the highest individual score. He reached this milestone by smashing Archer’s slower ball for a colossal six. Archer’s cutters have failed to deliver, and he finishes his spell with figures of 3-64. The final ball of his over strikes Nabi on the helmet, prompting a concussion check. This brief pause might offer England a moment to regroup, as they’ve been thoroughly dominated in the last 10 overs. The partnership between Ibrahim and Nabi has raced to 97 runs off just 48 balls.
47th Over: Afghanistan 299-5 (Ibrahim 159, Nabi 36)
Wood and Livingstone are off the field. Rashid has completed his quota. Buttler has no option but to turn to Root. Nabi capitalizes immediately, dispatching the first ball over the midwicket boundary for six. The second ball slips through Salt’s hands at long leg—a catch that should have been taken—resulting in another six. A misfield by Duckett at point allows the ball to trickle away for four more. England’s fielding is unraveling! Nabi takes a single. This brings Ibrahim back on strike. Ibrahim elegantly drives a full toss through the covers for four. He then clips a couple down the leg side. The over yields 23 runs, the costliest of the innings so far.
46th Over: Afghanistan 276-5 (Ibrahim 153, Nabi 19)
Ibrahim reaches his 150 with one of four doubles collected in the over. Commentator Ian Smith describes it as “an innings for the ages,” and it’s hard to disagree. This is undoubtedly one of the finest performances in recent memory. England, meanwhile, look disheveled, and their troubles worsen as Livingstone limps off the field after straining something while fielding near long-on. Overton’s over concedes 10 runs, all through hard-running between the wickets.
44th Over: Afghanistan 256-5 (Ibrahim 142, Nabi 10)
Mark Wood limps off the field, possibly ending his spell, which puts additional pressure on England’s bowling attack. Jofra Archer returns and starts with a cutter. Ibrahim reads it early and smashes it over wide midwicket for a massive six. Ibrahim slices a couple of runs to a vacant deep point. He then follows it up with a perfectly timed four to the same region. His batting is a blend of elegance and power.
A slower ball from Archer is met with a late cut of the highest quality, racing to the boundary. Ibrahim isn’t done yet—he steers another drive behind square for four. The over yields three fours, a six, and a couple of runs, totaling 20. Afghanistan is firmly in control.
41st Over: Afghanistan 217-5 (Ibrahim 113, Nabi 1)
Rashid Khan is doing his part for England. A beautifully flighted leg-spinner beats Nabi’s bat, and only four runs come off the over. With the third powerplay in effect, only five fielders are allowed outside the ring, adding to the challenge for the bowlers.
WICKET! Azmatullah c Banton b Overton (Afghanistan 212-5)
Overton breaks the dangerous partnership! On the final ball of his comeback over, he delivers a slower cutter. Azmatullah misjudges the shot, dragging it wider than intended. Banton, positioned on the boundary, makes the catch look effortless. It was a powerful swing, but the ball caught the inside edge of the toe end, ending Azmatullah’s innings.
40th Over: Afghanistan 212-5 (Ibrahim 109)
The wicket of Azmatullah has given England a glimmer of hope. Ibrahim remains steady, but the pressure is mounting on the new batsman.
39th Over: Afghanistan 210-4 (Ibrahim 108, Azmatullah 40)
Rashid Khan returns to the attack, bowling a flatter trajectory this time. There’s a half-hearted appeal for a run-out at the non-striker’s end as Rashid deflects Azmatullah’s shot onto the stumps. However, Ibrahim is safely in his crease. Just two singles from the over swing the momentum slightly back in England’s favor.
38th Over: Afghanistan 208-4 (Ibrahim 107, Azmatullah 39)
What an exhilarating over! Mark Wood faced the fury of Azmatullah, who smashed back-to-back boundaries. The first was a fierce slash over cover for four, showcasing Azmatullah’s aggressive intent. The second? A monstrous six straight down the ground, executed with a flat-bat strike after stepping out of his crease. Pure power! Wood retaliated with a fiery 92 mph yorker that struck Azmatullah’s foot, forcing him to hobble for a leg-bye. After some quick treatment, the over resumed with a testing bouncer that Ibrahim nudged for two runs. He then elegantly drove a cover shot for four, capping off the over with a single to deep third. A thrilling display of cricket!
37th Over: Afghanistan 190-4 (Ibrahim 100, Azmatullah 29)
Following Ibrahim’s century, Azmatullah decided it was time to accelerate. He launched Liam Livingstone for a massive six into the sight-screen, signaling Afghanistan’s intent to push for a big total. The momentum is building!
Ibrahim Zadran Reaches His Century!
A moment to cherish! Ibrahim Zadran brought up his hundred with a quick single off Livingstone. It was a masterclass in patience and precision as he anchored the innings while wickets fell around him. His century came off 106 balls, including six fours and three sixes. A truly remarkable effort! However, Afghanistan still has work to do to post a competitive total.
Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran Celebrates His Century
Photograph: Akhtar Soomro/Reuters
Take a bow, Ibrahim Zadran! His stellar performance has been a highlight of the match so far.
36th Over: Afghanistan 180-4 (Ibrahim 98, Azmatullah 21)
Mark Wood continued his spell, though concerns about his fitness lingered. Despite the discomfort, he delivered a steady over. Ibrahim drove a couple down the ground, while Azmatullah flashed a shot wide of cover for another two. Four singles added to the tally, making it a productive over for Afghanistan.
Why This Clash is Unmissable
The Afghanistan vs England clash in the Champions Trophy is delivering edge-of-the-seat action. With Ibrahim Zadran’s century and Azmatullah’s explosive hitting, Afghanistan is putting up a strong fight. England, on the other hand, is relying on their pace attack, led by Mark Wood, to keep the scoring in check. This match is a perfect blend of skill, strategy, and sheer entertainment.
Key Highlights So Far
- Ibrahim Zadran’s Century: A composed and classy innings under pressure.
- Azmatullah’s Power Hitting: Back-to-back boundaries and a towering six.
- Mark Wood’s Pace: A fiery yorker and consistent line and length.
What’s Next?
With Afghanistan building a solid total, England will need to regroup and strike back. Can Afghanistan capitalize on this momentum, or will England’s bowlers turn the tide? Stay tuned for more live updates!
Final Thoughts
The Afghanistan vs England match is a testament to the thrill of cricket. Whether it’s Ibrahim’s century or Azmatullah’s explosive shots, this game has it all. Don’t miss out on the action – keep refreshing for the latest updates!
