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Afghanistan's Zadran creates HISTORY!

Last updated on: February 26, 2025 20:16 IST

Ibrahim Zadran celebrates his century against England in their ICC Champions Trophy Group B match at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Wednesday

IMAGE: Ibrahim Zadran celebrates his century against England in their ICC Champions Trophy Group B match at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Wednesday. Photograph: Akhtar Soomro

In what is a crucial must-win game for Afghanistan, opener Ibrahim Zadran brought out his best and scored his 6th ODI century in their ICC Champions Trophy Group B match against England in Lahore on Wednesday.

 

It's a historic landmark for the 23-year-old who is now the first Afghanistan batter to score a century in the Champions Trophy. 

With this ton he also becomes the first Afghan player to score a century in the ICC ODI World Cup as well as the Champions Trophy. 

He had struck a ton against Australia in the ICC World Cup in 2023.

Ibrahim Zadran 

Zadran has time and again shown his ability to be a dependable opener and it was no different on Wednesday. 

While wickets fell all around him with fellow opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz, as well as Sediqullah Atal and Rahmat Shah all back in the hut inside the first ten overs, Gurbaz kept his cool.

He then stitched up a 103-run stand with captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (40) and revive the Afghan innings.

Scoring at a strike rate of 94.34, Zadran's ton came off 106 balls.

The swashbuckling batter laced six fours and three maximums en route to the triple-figure mark.

Ibrahim Zadran's 177 is now the highest scorer in ICC Champions Trophy

IMAGE: Ibrahim Zadran's 177 is now the highest scorer in ICC Champions Trophy. Photograph: Akhtar Soomro/Reuters

His innings was laden with those eye-pleasing cover-drives and some elegant shots on the on side.

Once he reached the triple-figure mark, he stepped on the gas.

Holding fort at one end, Ibrahim went on to compile only the second 150 in Champions Trophy history, seconding England's Ben Duckett, who had notched 165 against Australia in this edition of the tournament.

The Afghan opener was eventually dismissed by Liam Livingstone in the 50th over of their innings but not before scripting history. His 177 is now the the highest individual score by a batter in Champions Trophy history.

Take a bow, Zadran! 

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