In a thrilling opening encounter of the Champions Trophy held at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, Australia pulled off a spectacular 5-wicket win over England, marking one of the most memorable chases in the history of men’s ICC events. With a target of 352 set by England, Australia chased it down with 15 balls to spare, setting a new benchmark for successful run chases.
The match was dominated by astonishing individual performances, starting with England’s Ben Duckett, who played a sensational innings. His career-best 165 off 143 balls left the crowd in awe, forming the backbone of England’s total score of 351/8. Duckett's innings seemed to set a stonewall for the English innings, suggesting a hefty challenge for the Australians.
However, the Australian side had other plans. Josh Inglis masterminded the chase with an outstanding unbeaten 120 off just 86 balls. His strategic and dynamic innings shifted the momentum towards the Aussies, even as England attempted to tighten the screws. The late blitzkrieg by Glenn Maxwell, who struck a rapid 31* off 14 deliveries, further dismantled England’s hopes, showcasing the depth of Australia’s batting prowess.
Adding intrigue to the encounter, Jofra Archer missed a vital catch, providing Inglis a lifeline that turned out to be expensive for England. Archer’s momentary lapse might have cost England a crucial breakthrough might have retained their stronghold on the game.
On the bowling front, Australia managed to restrain England’s aggressive batting lineup early on, thanks to efforts from Marnus Labuschagne and Ben Dwarshuis. Labuschagne’s figures of 2/41 and Dwarshuis capturing 3/66 were pivotal in curbing England’s total to a reachable target.
England captain Jos Buttler praised Australia’s clinical performance post-match, acknowledging the fierce competition despite setting an imposing total. Meanwhile, the spotlight shone on Inglis, who was rightly named Player of the Match for his game-turning innings.
This victory not only highlighted Australia’s strategic depth and resilience but also fueled their confidence in one of the most intense groups. With Group B's qualifications still wide open, this victory strongly positions Australia in the race for the semi-finals.