Afghanistan Eliminates England in Champions Trophy with Zadran's Record 177

In a stunning upset, Afghanistan eliminated England from the Champions Trophy with an eight-run victory, largely thanks to Ibrahim Zadran's record-breaking innings of 177 runs. Afghanistan set a challenging target of 326 runs, and despite Joe Root's valiant effort of 120, England was bowled out for 317, marking their second consecutive loss in the tournament. Zadran's performance included crucial partnerships that stabilized Afghanistan's innings after an early collapse, while Azmatullah Omarzai's bowling figures of 5-58 further sealed England's fate. The victory not only keeps Afghanistan's semi-final hopes alive but also resonates amid political tensions regarding Afghanistan's human rights issues. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi praised Zadran's innings as one of the best he has seen, highlighting the team's blend of youth and experience. The win sparked celebrations in Afghanistan, showcasing the impact of cricket in uniting the nation.