By Zainab Shafiq 
England’s Ben Duckett delivered a masterclass in batting at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, rewriting the record books with the highest individual score in Champions Trophy history. His remarkable 165 off 147 balls propelled England to a formidable total of 351/8 against Australia in their highly anticipated group-stage clash.
Duckett’s innings saw him surpass Nathan Astle’s long-standing record of 145*, set in 2004 against the USA. In doing so, he also became the first player to score 150+ runs in a Champions Trophy match, cementing his place in tournament history. The left-hander’s knock was laced with 17 boundaries and three sixes, showcasing his ability to dominate even against a disciplined Australian bowling attack.
Despite missing several key players, including Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitch Marsh, Australia fought hard to contain England’s aggressive batting. Stand-in skipper Steve Smith led a relatively inexperienced side, with Ben Dwarshuis taking three wickets, while Adam Zampa and Marnus Labuschagne chipped in with two each. Glenn Maxwell also claimed a crucial wicket in an otherwise tough outing for the Australian bowlers.
England’s innings saw early wickets tumble, but a crucial 158-run partnership between Duckett and Joe Root (68 off 78 balls) stabilized their innings. Contributions from Jos Buttler (23 off 21) and Jofra Archer’s late blitz (21 off 10) pushed England past the 350-run mark.
Watch: Ben Duckett records highest individual score in Champions Trophy history
In response, Australia began their chase at a brisk pace, reaching 8/0 in the opening over. With a daunting target of 352 and a required run rate of nearly seven per over, the pressure is on their batting lineup to deliver under the lights in Lahore.
England, still seeking their first Champions Trophy title, will be keen to capitalize on their strong batting display. With Duckett’s record-breaking performance providing a huge boost, they have set themselves up for a potential statement win over their arch-rivals.
As the match progresses, all eyes will be on Australia’s ability to mount a successful chase or whether England’s bowlers can seal a dominant victory.
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