AFG vs ENG: Ibrahim Zadran Becomes First Afghanistan Batter to Score a Century in Champions Trophy
Ibrahim Zadran scored first ever century for Afghanistan in Champions Trophy.
Afghanistan opener Ibrahim Zadran etched his name in history books by becoming the first Afghan batter to score a century in the Champions Trophy. He achieved this milestone against England in a Group B match on Wednesday, February 26, at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
A Historic Knock in Lahore
Zadran had a disappointing start to the tournament, scoring only 17 against South Africa before being dismissed by Kagiso Rabada. However, he bounced back in style against Jos Buttler’s England, showcasing resilience and class.
After Afghanistan opted to bat first, their top order crumbled, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, and Rahmat Shah failing to reach double digits. Zadran steadied the innings and brought up his half-century off 65 balls, playing a patient yet effective knock.
His innings gained momentum as he built a crucial 103-run partnership with Hashmatullah Shahidi (40) for the fourth wicket. Shahidi was eventually dismissed by Adil Rashid, but Zadran carried on with determination.
A Century to Remember
In the 37th over, Zadran took a single off Liam Livingstone on the on-side to reach his century in 106 balls. He raised his arms in celebration, acknowledging the crowd’s applause for his historic feat.
This knock was even more special as Zadran was making a comeback after missing Afghanistan’s matches since their T20 World Cup semi-final against South Africa last year. He had suffered an ankle injury and underwent surgery in September, keeping him out of action for months.
