Delhi,’ it was, in the year 2023; now, it’s Lahore, 2025. Result remains the same after a distance of 15 months and 450 kilometre upset shot by Afghanistan against England in an ICC ODI event. The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup occurs this time and once again, it was quite meaningful for England when they lost participation in the tournament after losing to India in their last two matches. Ibrahim Zadran’s record 177 off just 146 balls set up the victory, then all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai finished it off with a fifer with the ball.
Chasing 326, England had several big partnerships-Root with Ben Duckett and Root with skipper Jos Buttler, followed by Jamie Overton. Root held one end, smashing his 17th ODI century. Azmatullah with his bounce and skiddy nature would keep interrupting the flow of runs and grab wickets regularly before ending up with magnificent figures of 5/58. The first-ever five-wicket haul by an Afghan bowler in ICC ODI events was made possible by Omarzai, who improved upon the likes of Mohammad Nabi, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Shapoor Zadran-all of whom had four-fers to their name in the World Cups of 2019, 2023, and 2015, respectively.
Omarzai also made history in the Champions Trophy by being the first bowler in history to take a five-wicket haul against England. The previous best of any bowler against England in the Champions Trophy was 4/30 by Kyle Mills, 12 years ago in Cardiff.
Best bowling figures against England in the Champions Trophy
5/58 – Azmatullah Omarzai (AFG), Lahore 2025
4/30 – Kyle Mills (NZ), Cardiff 2013
4/31 – Grant Elliott (NZ), Johannesburg 2009
4/45 – Douglas Hondo (ZIM), Colombo RPS 2002
Omarzai, who was decorated with ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year for 2024, extended his great run in the format and is gradually turning into a solid talisman for Afghanistan in white-ball cricket. To go with his bowling effort, Omarzai supported it up with the bat, scoring a vital 41 off just 31 balls and will hope to keep it heightening with some more performances to come for Afghanistan, followed by the IPL for Punjab Kings.
Afghanistan now need to win against Australia in the last Group B match to qualify for the semi-final.