WATCH- Champions Trophy 2025: Ibrahim Zadran's century celebration during AFG vs ENG clash
Ibrahim Zadran became the first Afghanistan batter to score a ton in the ODI World Cup and Champions Trophy.
Afghanistan opener Ibrahim Zadran once again showed why he's one of the important players for the team on big occasions, scoring a brilliant ton against England in their crucial Group B encounter of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on February 26.
His knock not only stabilized Afghanistan’s innings after early challenges but also became the first Afghan player to score a hundred in the tournament’s history. During his celebration thanked the crowd and his teammates after reaching the feat.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, the Afghan side was in trouble early on, losing three wickets inside the powerplay. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, and Rahmat Shah all fell cheaply, with the scorecard reading 37/3 in the ninth over. However, Zadran then stitched a crucial 103-run partnership with captain Hashmatullah Shahidi to get the team back in the game.
His century came in the 38th over off 106 balls with six fours and three sixes. He drove Liam Livingstone's delivery to midwicket for a single before taking off his helmet and raising his bat to acknowledge the applause from the stands and his teammates. He gestured towards the dressing room possibly dedicated to someone special, in the process he folded his hands.
Watch the video below:
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Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side had surprised England in the 2023 ODI World Cup
Zadran's ton not only put his side with a solid platform but also saw him create history. Having scored a century against Australia in the 2023 World Cup, he became the only batter from his nation to achieve the feat in both global ICC tournaments. By 41st over the scorecard read 217/5 with Zadran and Mohammad Nabi at the crease.
Meanwhile, this match, was a do-or-die situation for both sides, having failed to secure a win in their previous matches. The loser of this contest would face elimination from the tournament. Afghanistan, despite their impressive ODI form leading up to the event, suffered a setback against South Africa, while England was still suffering from a defeat at the hands of Australia. Earlier, the Shahidi-led team had surprised the Three Lions in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
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