Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran Smashes Record-Breaking 177 Against England
Afghanistan’s star batsman, Ibrahim Zadran, has rewritten the history books by recording the highest individual score in ICC Champions Trophy history. The right-handed opener played an incredible innings of 177 runs off 146 balls against England at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, a knock that will be remembered for years to come.
His monumental innings not only helped Afghanistan post a commanding total but also saw him surpass some of the greatest names in cricket history. This exceptional performance solidifies Afghanistan’s growing stature in international cricket.
Breaking the Previous Record
Ibrahim Zadran’s 177-run knock shattered the previous highest individual score in ICC Champions Trophy history, which was set by England’s Ben Duckett (165 runs) just days earlier in the same tournament. Zadran’s innings was a blend of technical brilliance, controlled aggression, and resilience, making him the first-ever Afghan batter to hold such a record on the global stage.
His knock featured:
- 12 fours and 6 sixes
- A strike rate of 121.23
- Crucial partnerships that steadied the innings
This historic achievement has placed him alongside some of the greatest batsmen in the sport, surpassing innings played by cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar (141 in 1998) and Nathan Astle (145 in 2004).*
A Knock That Rescued Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s innings began on a shaky note with early setbacks as their top-order struggled against England’s lethal bowling attack. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (6), Sediqullah Atal (4), and Rahmat Shah (4) all fell cheaply, leaving the team in a vulnerable position.
However, Ibrahim Zadran’s calm approach and steady resilience changed the momentum of the game. His knock was instrumental in:
- Building a crucial 129-run partnership with skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (40)
- Accelerating the scoring rate in the latter half of the innings
- Guiding Afghanistan to a formidable total of 323/6 in 49.1 overs
Zadran’s strategic approach, mixing caution with aggression, helped Afghanistan recover and dominate the middle and death overs.
Zadran’s Partnership with the Middle Order
Following his solid partnership with Hashmatullah Shahidi, Zadran further strengthened Afghanistan’s innings with key contributions from:
- Azmatullah Omarzai (41 off 31 balls)
- Mohammad Nabi (40 off 23 balls)*
These partnerships ensured that Afghanistan capitalized on their strong foundation, finishing with a challenging total that put pressure on England’s bowlers.
Unfortunately, Zadran fell in the last over, caught by Jofra Archer off Liam Livingstone’s delivery. Despite missing out on a double century, his 177-run innings will be remembered as one of the finest displays of batting in Champions Trophy history.
How Zadran’s Innings Compares with Past Records
Zadran’s 177 now holds the highest individual score in Champions Trophy history, surpassing legendary innings such as:
- Ben Duckett (165 runs, 2025)
- Nathan Astle (145 runs, 2004)*
- Sachin Tendulkar (141 runs, 1998)
This feat has placed Afghanistan on the global cricket map, proving their ability to compete with the best teams in the world.
Afghanistan’s Chances After Zadran’s Record Knock
With a massive total of 323/6, Afghanistan has set a daunting target for England. Now, the responsibility lies with their bowlers to capitalize on this advantage and secure a historic victory.
Afghanistan’s bowling attack, featuring spinners like Rashid Khan and pacers like Fazalhaq Farooqi, will aim to dismantle England’s batting lineup and defend their total successfully.
A win against England in this match would further cement Afghanistan’s reputation as a rising force in international cricket.
FAQs About Ibrahim Zadran’s Record-Breaking Knock
1. Who held the previous highest individual score in the ICC Champions Trophy?
Ben Duckett of England held the previous record with 165 runs, set just days before Ibrahim Zadran’s record-breaking 177.
2. How many fours and sixes did Ibrahim Zadran hit in his innings?
Zadran smashed 12 fours and 6 sixes, scoring at a strike rate of 121.23.
3. Where was Ibrahim Zadran’s record-breaking innings played?
The historic innings was played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan.
4. How did Ibrahim Zadran’s knock help Afghanistan?
His innings rescued Afghanistan from early trouble, built crucial partnerships, and guided the team to a competitive total of 323/6.
5. How does Ibrahim Zadran’s innings compare to other great Champions Trophy knocks?
His 177-run knock is now the highest in the tournament’s history, surpassing great innings from players like Nathan Astle and Sachin Tendulkar.
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