Afghanistan Can Qualify for Champions Trophy Semi-final: Afghanistan has once again created a sensation in the cricket world. Afghanistan has caused a big upset by defeating a strong team like England. Afghanistan has kept itself in the race for the semi-finals with its first win in the Champions Trophy 2025, while the England team has been eliminated from the race for the last-4. Batting first in this match, the Afghanistan team scored 325 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 50 overs with the help of 177 runs by opener Ibrahim Zadran. In response, the England team was all out for 317 runs in 49.5 overs in 50 overs and Afghanistan won the match by 8 runs. Ibrahim Zadran was awarded the Player of the Match award for scoring a record-breaking 177 runs.

Joe Root scored the highest 120 runs for England. For Afghanistan, Azmatullah Umarzai took 5 wickets in bowling. Mohammad Nabi took 2 wickets. Afghanistan team has defeated England for the second consecutive time in ODI cricket. Earlier, the Afghan team had defeated England by 69 runs in the match played in Delhi in the World Cup 2023.

"It means a lot to me. As much as you work hard, I had trust in myself and wanted to keep batting. That 177 is a special moment for me. We played here last time in the Asia Cup, so I had an idea. I wanted to take my time and play proper cricketing shots, and it worked for me. I’m happy,” Ibrahim said after the match.

England Out from the Tournament

This exciting match played between England and Afghanistan was a do or die match. In such a situation, Afghanistan has kept itself in the semi-final race of the Champions Trophy by winning, while England has been eliminated from the tournament with the defeat. England is the third team to be eliminated from the Champions Trophy 2025. Earlier, hosts Pakistan and Bangladesh have been eliminated from the semi-final race.

Semi-final Scenario from Group-B

Now 2 semifinalist teams from Group B are yet to be decided. There is a competition between Australia, South Africa and Afghanistan for 2 spots in the semifinals. In Group B, South Africa is on the first position with 3 points while world champion Australia is on the second position with the same number of points. The only difference between the two teams is the net run rate. Afghanistan is on the third position with 2 points after its first win in 2 matches. On the other hand, England has been eliminated from the tournament.

If Afghanistan are to realise their dream of reaching the semi-finals. This Champions Trophy could become even more memorable for them if they manage to defeat Australia at the same venue where they knocked out England.