Omarzai records best figures for Afghanistan in ICC ODI tournaments
What's the story
Azmatullah Omarzai starred in Afghanistan's famous win over England in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium.
Omarzai stunned the Englishman with a five-wicket haul, as they were bowled out for 317 while chasing 326.
He now has the best figures for Afghanistan in ICC ODI tournaments.
Omarzai set several other records, also contributing with a 41-run knock.
Bowling
How Omarzai disarrayed the English batters
Omarzai first dismissed the dangerous Philip Salt early on to give Afghanistan an edge.
He then broke a crucial partnership between Jos Buttler and centurion Joe Root, dismissing the former.
Omarzai's next wicket came in the form of Root, who looked set to win the match for England.
The former then removed a well-set Jamie Overton before dismissing Adil Rashid to seal Afghanistan's win.
Figures
Omarzai goes past Nabi
As mentioned, Omarzai now has the best bowling figures for Afghanistan in ICC ODI tournaments (5/58 in 9.5 overs). In fact, he took the first fifer in this regard.
Mohammad Nabi had the previous-best figures (4/30 vs Sri Lanka, Cardiff, WC 2019).
Notably, Afghanistan are featuring in the Champions Trophy for the first time, which also marks the tournament's first fifer for them.
Fifer
Third Afghan seamer with this feat
As per Cricbuzz, Omarzai has become the third Afghanistan seamer with a fifer in ODI cricket. He joins Gulbadin Naib (6/43 vs Ireland, Belfast, 2019) and Hamid Hassan (5/45 vs UAE, Dubai, 2014).
This was also the maiden five-wicket haul of Omarzai's ODI career. He now has 36 wickets in 38 encounters at an average of 29.69.
Information
A fine 41 from Omarzai's blade
As mentioned, Omarzai earlier played a fine 41-run knock in the first innings. His attacking 31-ball knock, which didn't let Afghanistan drop the scoring rate, included a four and 3 sixes. He helped Afghanistan cross 200 along with Ibrahim Zadran.
Career
ICC ODI Cricket of the Year
It is worth noting that Omarzai was named the ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year 2024.
His right-arm seam-bowling and handy batting skills played a key role in Afghanistan's success last year. He averaged over 50 with the bat and took the second-most wickets for Afghanistan in ODIs in 2024.
His individual brilliance was instrumental in Afghanistan's four consecutive ODI series victories.