Afghanistan’s head coach, Jonathan Trott, emphasized the importance of moving forward quickly after his team’s thrilling victory over England in an ICC ODI event. “Enjoy tonight…as soon as they wake up tomorrow, the focus is on Australia,” he stated following Afghanistan’s remarkable win, which not only showcased their resilience but also eliminated England from semifinal contention.
A Roller-Coaster Encounter
The match saw an exhilarating 99.5 overs of cricket, filled with twists and turns. Afghanistan’s innings, which started shakily at 39/3, ended with a formidable total of 325. This comeback was anchored by Ibrahim Zadran’s historic 146-ball 177, the highest individual score for Afghanistan in ODIs. His innings, combined with valuable 40s from middle-order batters, played a pivotal role in the turnaround.
Afghanistan’s Dynamic Batting Performance
Zadran’s innings required calculated shifts in tempo. He first stabilized the innings with a 103-run partnership with Hashmatullah Shahidi off 124 balls. As Afghanistan looked to up the ante, Zadran joined forces with Azmatullah Omarzai, adding 72 runs off 63 balls. The final flourish came with an explosive 111-run stand between Zadran and Mohammad Nabi off just 55 balls, with Afghanistan amassing 113 runs in the last 10 overs.
Reflecting on the batting performance, Trott highlighted the importance of partnerships and game awareness. “To be able to get to 325 after being 39 for 3 after the powerplay just showed the quality of Ibrahim as a player,” he noted. “Azmat’s contribution took the pressure off him, as did Nabi’s aggressive finish.”
Trott also pointed out the importance of Zadran’s return to form. “He has looked a bit out of rhythm recently, but this innings should give him the confidence to carry forward his momentum. The way he played shots, especially that straight six off Jofra Archer, was remarkable.”
England’s Response: Root’s Lone Battle
England faced an uphill task chasing 326. They lost early wickets but were kept in the contest by Joe Root, who built crucial partnerships and notched up his first ODI century since June 2019. Even as Afghanistan kept chipping away, Root kept England in the game, but his dismissal with 39 needed off 26 balls proved decisive.
Jamie Overton and Jofra Archer brought the equation down to 19 off 16 balls. However, England lost crucial wickets in consecutive overs, leaving Adil Rashid and Mark Wood with 13 to get off the final over. Omarzai held his nerve, conceding only singles off the first four balls before sealing the win for Afghanistan by picking up the last wicket.
England’s Struggles: Buttler’s Reflections
England captain Jos Buttler admitted the team was left with too much to do, particularly due to their bowling in the final 10 overs and the lack of a long-standing partnership alongside Root. “We started great with those early wickets but couldn’t capitalize. Credit to Ibrahim for a fantastic innings, but conceding 113 in the last 10 overs was too much. In the chase, Joe Root played a classy innings, but we needed one of us in the top six to stay with him longer,” Buttler lamented.
Adding to England’s woes, fast bowler Mark Wood faced a knee issue, limiting him to just eight overs. His absence in the death overs forced England to rely on part-time bowlers, with Joe Root and Liam Livingstone tasked with delivering the 47th and 50th overs. Livingstone excelled in the final over, picking up two wickets while conceding just two runs, but Root’s over earlier proved costly, leaking 23 runs and handing the momentum to Afghanistan.
“Injuries happen, and at a crucial moment, it affected our plans. We had them three down early and wanted to attack, but losing Wood disrupted our bowling combinations,” Buttler added.
Afghanistan’s Growing Confidence
This victory further highlights Afghanistan’s growing stature in world cricket. Their ability to bounce back from difficult situations, their depth in both batting and bowling, and their increasing game awareness make them a formidable team.
Coach Trott believes that self-belief is becoming an essential part of the squad’s mindset. “There’s a resilience to them. Cricketing experience and match awareness are developing within the squad. We’ve seen Gurbaz, Ibrahim, and other players step up, proving that it’s not just about one individual carrying the team. The belief spreads, and that’s important.”
The Road Ahead: Australia Next in Line
With England now out of the running, Afghanistan’s focus shifts to Australia. The team will need to regroup quickly and build on this victory as they prepare for the formidable Australian challenge. The confidence gained from defeating England will be invaluable, but the team must continue improving in all aspects to remain competitive.
As Afghanistan wakes up tomorrow, the message from their coach is clear—celebrate tonight, but be ready for the next challenge. With their momentum building and key players hitting form, Afghanistan’s journey in this ICC ODI event promises to be an exciting one.
