Azmatullah Omarzai is a 24-year-old Afghan cricketer, born on March 24, 2000, in the Nurgal District of Kunar province in eastern Afghanistan. He is a fast-bowling all-rounder known for his ability to bowl in the powerplay and hit big sixes down the order. Omarzai made his international debut for Afghanistan in January 2021 and has since become a key player in the team, contributing significantly to its transformation from a spin-heavy attack to a more balanced lineup.
Career Overview
- Early Career: Omarzai started playing cricket at the age of 14 and made his List A debut in 2017 for Mis Ainak Region. He made his first-class debut in 2018 for Speen Ghar Region.
- International Debut: He made his ODI debut in January 2021 and his T20I debut in March 2022 against Bangladesh.
- Breakthrough Year: 2023 marked a significant year for Omarzai, with impressive performances in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and the ICC ODI World Cup. He was signed by Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and later by Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
- Recent Achievements: In January 2024, Omarzai played a remarkable innings against Sri Lanka, scoring 149* in a record-breaking partnership with Mohammad Nabi. He helped Afghanistan reach their first T20 World Cup semi-final in 2024. In the 2025 Champions Trophy, he became the first player to score 40+ runs and take 5 wickets in a match.
Career Stats
Batting Stats
| Format | Matches | Runs | HS | Average | Strike-Rate |
| Tests | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| ODIs | 37 | 925 | 148* | 46.25 | 96.35 |
| T20s | 47 | 474 | 37 | 14.36 | 111.00 |
| FC | 6 | 3 | 40* | 37.25 | 56.65 |
| List-A | 69 | 17 | 149* | 44.35 | 103.72 |
| T20s | 120 | 23 | 62* | 18.76 | 131.54 |
Bowling Stats
Omarzai’s bowling stats are not detailed in the provided search results, but he is recognized for his seam bowling skills and has contributed significantly with the ball in various formats.
Awards and Recognition
- ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year: Awarded in the 2024 ICC Awards.
IPL Career
- Debut: 2024 with Gujarat Titans.
- Stats: Played 7 matches, scored 42 runs, and took 4 wickets.
- 2025 IPL: Played 7 matches, scored 42 runs, and took 4 wickets.
