Afghanistan opener Ibrahim Zadran has etched his name in the record books after delivering a historic knock of 177 runs off 146 balls in the ICC Champions Trophy. His innings, laced with 12 boundaries and six maximums, has now become the highest individual score in the tournament’s history, surpassing England's Ben Duckett, who had set the record just four days ago.
Zadran’s Record-Breaking Innings
Playing at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, Zadran showcased exceptional resilience as Afghanistan recovered from an early collapse to post a formidable total of 325/7 against England. The top order struggled against Jofra Archer’s fiery spell (3/64), slumping to 37/3 within the first ten overs. However, Zadran held his ground and orchestrated crucial partnerships to rebuild Afghanistan’s innings.
His stellar knock helped him surpass cricket legends such as Sachin Tendulkar (141 vs Australia, 1998) and Sourav Ganguly (141* vs South Africa, 2000) in the list of highest individual scores in Champions Trophy history. Additionally, he overtook Nathan Astle’s 145* (vs USA, 2004) and Duckett’s 166 (vs Australia, 2025) to claim the top spot.
A Historic Feat for Afghanistan
Zadran’s innings not only set a new Champions Trophy benchmark but also became the highest individual score by an Afghanistan batter in ODIs, surpassing his own record of 162 against Sri Lanka in 2022. Furthermore, his 177 stands as the fourth-highest ODI score by any batter on Pakistani soil and the second-highest by an Asian batter in ICC ODI tournaments, only behind Ganguly’s 183 against Sri Lanka in the 1999 World Cup.
Key Partnerships Propel Afghanistan to 325/7
Despite the initial setback, Zadran found valuable support from captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (40), with whom he stitched a crucial 103-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Azmatullah Omarzai (41) and Mohammad Nabi (40 off 24 balls) provided further stability, enabling Afghanistan to recover and put England under pressure. The sixth-wicket partnership between Zadran and Nabi added 111 runs, ensuring a competitive total on the scoreboard.
A Landmark Moment in Cricket
Zadran’s remarkable innings has elevated Afghanistan’s stature in international cricket, proving their mettle on a global stage. As the Champions Trophy unfolds, his record-breaking performance will remain one of the standout moments of the tournament, further solidifying Afghanistan’s growing dominance in world cricket.
