Ibrahim Zadran Explains The Reason Behind His Celebration After Completing Century Against England

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 continues to deliver thrilling moments, and the latest spectacle came at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, where Afghanistan’s opening batter Ibrahim Zadran etched his name in cricketing history with a stunning 177-run knock against England. His innings, filled with elegant strokes and fearless shot-making, not only propelled Afghanistan to a commanding total but also broke multiple records, leaving the cricketing world in awe.

However, what made his innings even more special was his unique and heartfelt celebration upon reaching his century. His gesture—mimicking a leg-spin action followed by a folded-hand tribute—instantly caught the attention of fans and experts alike, leading to widespread speculation about its meaning.

As the match progressed, it became clear that this wasn’t just another hundred. It was a symbolic moment that reflected Zadran’s journey, resilience, and camaraderie with his teammates—particularly Rashid Khan, whom he credited as a major source of motivation.

A Knock for the Ages: Ibrahim Zadran’s Historic 177

Afghanistan’s decision to bat first proved to be a masterstroke, as Zadran single-handedly took the English bowling attack apart. Walking in with confidence, he held his composure despite an early collapse at 37/3, building crucial partnerships and ensuring that Afghanistan posted a formidable total of 325/7.

Breaking Records in Style

Zadran’s 177 off 146 balls became the highest individual score for Afghanistan in ODI history, surpassing his own previous record of 162 against Sri Lanka in 2023.

His magnificent knock included:
✅ 12 boundaries (fours)
✅ 6 towering sixes
✅ A staggering strike rate of 121.23

It was a display of elegance, power, and resilience, demonstrating why he is considered one of Afghanistan’s most promising young batters.

His ability to rotate strike, punish loose deliveries, and maintain composure under pressure was a testament to his growing maturity as a cricketer.

The Unique Celebration That Stole the Show

As soon as Zadran reached his sixth ODI century, he paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and then performed a distinctive celebration that left everyone intrigued.

👉 First, he mimicked a leg-spin bowling action
👉 Then, he folded his hands in gratitude towards the dressing room

Fans and commentators immediately took notice of the unusual celebration, leading to widespread speculation on social media about its significance. Was it directed at someone specific? Did it have a deeper meaning?

The Meaning Behind the Celebration: A Tribute to Rashid Khan

After the innings, Zadran spoke to the official broadcasters and revealed the true meaning behind his celebration. It was a tribute to Rashid Khan, Afghanistan’s star leg-spinner and team leader, who had inspired him before the match.

🔹 “Before the game, I had a chat with Rashid. Whenever I chat with Rashid, I get a score. [That’s why] when I got to my century, I thanked Rashid,” Zadran explained.

The revelation struck an emotional chord with fans, highlighting the bond and brotherhood among Afghanistan’s cricketers. It also showcased Rashid Khan’s mentorship and influence on the younger generation, proving that his leadership extends beyond just bowling.

How Zadran’s Knock Changed the Course of the Match

While Zadran’s individual brilliance was the highlight of the innings, Afghanistan’s total of 325/7 was built on crucial contributions from other batters as well.

🔥 Key partnerships that defined Afghanistan’s innings:
1️⃣ Ibrahim Zadran & Hashmatullah Shahidi (Captain) – 84 runs
2️⃣ Ibrahim Zadran & Mohammad Nabi – 76 runs (off just 50 balls!)

✅ Mohammad Nabi played a quickfire 40 off 24 balls, accelerating in the final overs
✅ Hashmatullah Shahidi anchored the innings with a composed 40 off 58 balls

Despite England’s strong bowling lineup featuring Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, and Sam Curran, Afghanistan dominated the contest with their aggressive yet calculated approach.

England’s Response: Joe Root’s Valiant Effort Falls Short

Chasing 326, England’s innings mirrored Afghanistan’s early struggles, with wickets tumbling at regular intervals. However, Joe Root’s masterful 120 off 111 balls kept them in the hunt.

✅ Root’s classic century was a lesson in controlled aggression and strike rotation
✅ He built partnerships, but lack of support from other batters cost England dearly
✅ With 8 runs needed off the last two balls, England’s hopes ended as Adil Rashid was caught at the boundary

The final score: England 317 all out
Afghanistan won by 8 runs, knocking England out of the tournament.

A Story of Comeback and Resilience: Zadran’s Return to Form

Zadran’s knock was even more special because it came after a long struggle with injuries and form.

🚑 He had been out of international cricket for 7 months
📆 Hadn’t played an ODI since March 2024
🔄 Made a stunning comeback with a career-best knock

Speaking about his return, Zadran said:
“It’s not easy to come back to international cricket. I have come back after 7 months, but I hadn’t played ODI cricket in the last 1 year.”

This statement summed up the mental and physical hurdles he had to overcome to reach this moment.

His discipline, determination, and belief in his abilities were on full display, making his 177 even more meaningful.

Afghanistan’s Growing Legacy in World Cricket

Afghanistan’s victory over England wasn’t just another win—it was a statement to the cricketing world.

✔️ Their second win over England in major ICC events
✔️ A historic batting performance from Ibrahim Zadran
✔️ Proof of their growing dominance against top teams

The win keeps Afghanistan alive in the Champions Trophy 2025, making their next match against Australia a virtual quarterfinal.

A Night to Remember for Ibrahim Zadran and Afghanistan

🏏 February 26, 2025, will go down as one of the greatest nights in Afghan cricket history.

Ibrahim Zadran’s record-breaking 177, his heartfelt tribute to Rashid Khan, and Afghanistan’s thrilling victory over England were moments that captured the hearts of fans worldwide.

His unique celebration and inspiring comeback made this knock more than just a statistic—it became a symbol of resilience, brotherhood, and Afghanistan’s unstoppable rise in international cricket.

As the Champions Trophy 2025 heats up, all eyes are now on Afghanistan to see if they can continue their dream run and create more history.

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