This year’s ICC Champions Trophy has been struggling to find the interest of cricket enthusiasts with a shortage of closely fought games. But one stadium that has stood out as a source of thrill is the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, with nail-biting matches like the one between England and Afghanistan being the stimulus the tournament desperately needed. In the middle of the demise of the 50-over version during the era of T20 cricket, such high-scoring matches have cast much-needed relief upon ODI cricket.
England’s Near-Run Chase Comes To Shocking End
In a heart-stopping finish, Afghanistan bowlers remained calm as England fought tooth and nail to reach a target of 326. The game was taken to the very end, with England requiring 16 runs from the last 12 deliveries and only two wickets in hand. Although making a good fight, Afghanistan pacers, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Azmatullah Omarzai, remained cool, defending the target successfully and winning by eight runs, sending England packing out of the tournament.
Omarzai Dazzles With Both Bat and Ball
Azmatullah Omarzai was the undisputed hero of the game. His all-round excellence earned him five wickets for 58 runs as well as a valuable 41 off 31 balls in Afghanistan’s innings. His performance rescued Afghanistan from a dangerous position at 37/3, with opener Ibrahim Zadran lending stability to their total of 325/7 with a magnificent score of 177 runs.
England’s Catastrophic Beginning & Root’s Tenacious Century
England’s chase did not start on a very positive note. At 15 overs, they were at 93/2, with both Joe Root and Ben Duckett still in. Duckett’s fall, due to Rashid Khan’s acute bowling, pushed the game into Afghanistan’s direction. While Root was solid at the other end, the England innings never managed to get the momentum required. It was the 30th over before England registered their first six, which came off Mohammad Nabi by way of Jos Buttler. In between a few boundaries, England continued their struggle to escape, and even the fall of Buttler created more difficulties.
Root’s gutsy century, his 17th in one-day cricket, off 98 balls was tainted with physical anguish, with his cramps getting the better of him to compromise his effort in taking the pursuit to its eventual destination. By the 52nd ball, when England required 80 runs, the target also appeared out of reach. Root’s determination, however, kicked in as he united with Jamie Overton and made the game interesting. Overton’s boundaries decreased the target to 65 off 42 balls, and Root’s creative ramp-scoop six off Fazalhaq Farooqi provided hope, reducing the equation to 52 off 35 balls.
Omarzai’s Key Strike and Root’s Departure
With 39 required off 25 deliveries, Azmatullah Omarzai made the crucial breakthrough, removing Root with a bouncer that was gloved into the keeper. The Afghans’ effervescent crowd in the stadium was ecstatic with the exit of the England centurion, as it brought an end to the pursuit. Though there was some last-ditch fighting, England’s cause was lost, and Afghanistan claimed victory.
Ibrahim Zadran’s Unstoppable Performance
Though Omarzai was instrumental in the victory, Afghanistan’s hero of the day was opener Ibrahim Zadran. Playing with maturity and calmness, Zadran absorbed the initial pressure and produced a flawless innings. With a combination of traditional shot-making and contemporary flair, Zadran’s 177-run knock was constructed on impeccable timing. He struck 12 boundaries and six sixes, displaying a variety of strokes all around the wicket in his 146-ball innings.
Zadran had stepped away from the 50-over game to concentrate on his T20 game, but his comeback was successful as he showed a style similar to that of Virat Kohli — a traditional player and not a power hitter. His performance left experts stunned, and it was evident that he had perfected the art of balancing traditional batting with the requirements of contemporary cricket.
