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Azmatullah Omarzaithe 24-year-old all-rounder of Afghanistanhas won the prestigious ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year 2024 award. His remarkable performances with both bat and ball throughout the year have earned him this honour, marking his rise in the 50-over format.
Omarzai’s exceptional skills have been instrumental in Afghanistan’s rising stature in international cricket, cementing his place as one of the most promising talents in world cricket.
Azmatullah Omarzai: A cricket star from Afghanistan
Since he made his debut against the ODI Ireland in January 2021, Omarzai has proven to be an invaluable asset to Afghanistan. In 2024, he played 14 matches and showed his all-round skills, cementing his reputation as a top-class player. As a right-handed middle-order batsman, Omarzai scored an impressive 417 runs, which included three half-centuries and a century. His highest score, 149 runs against unbeaten Sri Lanka at Pallekele Stadium in February 2024, it was an outstanding performance. The knock included 13 fours and 6 sixes, demonstrating his aggressive style of play. With an average of 52.12 and a strike rate of 105.56, his contributions with the bat have been exceptional.
Apart from his skills with the bat, Omarzai’s skills with the ball have been equally impressive. As a right-arm medium-fast bowler, he claimed 17 wickets in 14 matches, maintaining an average of 20.47 and an economy rate of 4.90. His best bowling performance came against Zimbabwe in December 2024 where he took four wickets for just 18 runs in the first ODI in Harare. Omarzai also contributed in the field, making three catches in those 14 games, further highlighting his all-round capabilities.
Omarzai’s outstanding year culminated in his recognition as the ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year 2024. His consistent and outstanding performances have not only earned him individual accolades but also propelled him to third position in the ICC Men’s ODI Rankings. This achievement signifies his growth as a player and highlights his potential to dominate the international stage in the coming years.
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The success story of Afghanistan in 2024
2024 has been a breakthrough year for Afghanistan cricket, with several players making significant contributions. In addition to Omarzai’s recognition, two other players from Afghanistan earned places in the men’s ICC. ODI Team of the Year 2024. Rahmanullah Gurbazknown for his dynamic batting at the top of the order, he scored 531 runs in 11 matches. Their explosive starts were key to Afghanistan’s victories over teams like Ireland, south africai Bangladesh. Meanwhile, an 18-year-old off the hook Allah Ghazanfar made a notable impact by taking 21 wickets in 11 matches, showing exceptional control and maturity beyond his years.
The performance of the Afghanistan team in 2024 also reflects their growing strength in international cricket. They played 14 matches, won 8, lost 5 and finished with 1 match without any results. The year has seen the team make significant strides, with their all-round performances taking them closer to the highest levels of world cricket.
