Azmatullah Omarzai: Afghanistan’s Rising All-Rounder
Azmatullah Omarzai has emerged as one of Afghanistan’s brightest cricketing talents, excelling as an all-rounder in international cricket and various T20 leagues. With a right-handed batting style and right-arm fast-medium bowling, he has consistently delivered match-winning performances. His contributions in ODIs, T20Is, and IPL have made him a sought-after player globally. His stellar form in 2024 earned him the ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year award.
Early Life and Domestic Career
Birth and Early Days
Born on March 24, 2000, in Kunar, Afghanistan, Azmatullah Omarzai developed a passion for cricket at a young age. At 14, he started playing the sport seriously, quickly rising through Afghanistan’s domestic ranks.
Domestic Debut and Career Growth
- List A Debut: Mis Ainak Region, 2017 Ghazi Amanullah Khan Regional One Day Tournament
- First-Class Debut: Speen Ghar Region, 2018 Ahmad Shah Abdali Tournament
- T20 Debut: Paktia Panthers, 2018 Afghanistan Premier League
His performances in domestic cricket established him as a key all-rounder, leading to his selection in major T20 leagues and eventually for the Afghanistan national team.
Franchise Cricket & T20 Leagues
Azmatullah has been an integral part of several T20 leagues, impressing fans with his powerful hitting and effective bowling.
| Year |
Team |
League |
| 2017–Present |
Mis Ainak Region |
Afghan Domestic Cricket |
| 2023 |
Peshawar Zalmi |
Pakistan Super League (PSL) |
| 2023 |
Rangpur Riders |
Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) |
| 2024 |
Gujarat Titans |
Indian Premier League (IPL) |
| 2024 |
Jaffna Kings |
Lanka Premier League (LPL) |
| 2025–Present |
Punjab Kings |
Indian Premier League (IPL) |
His impactful performances have made him a valuable asset in franchise cricket worldwide.
International Career
Azmatullah Omarzai made his international debut for Afghanistan in January 2021 and has since become a key player in ODIs and T20Is.
Debuts in International Cricket
- ODI Debut: January 21, 2021, vs Ireland
- T20I Debut: March 3, 2022, vs Bangladesh
- Test Debut: December 26, 2024, vs Zimbabwe
His aggressive batting and disciplined bowling have helped Afghanistan secure historic victories against top teams.
ICC Tournament Performances
2023 Cricket World Cup
Omarzai played a crucial role in Afghanistan’s 2023 World Cup campaign, delivering strong performances with both bat and ball.
2024 ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year
In January 2024, he was honored with the ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year award, a testament to his consistent performances.
2025 ICC Champions Trophy
Named in Afghanistan’s squad for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, he is expected to play a key role in Afghanistan’s historic first appearance in the tournament.
IPL Career
2024 IPL Season – Gujarat Titans
Azmatullah Omarzai was bought by Gujarat Titans in the 2024 IPL auction, making his debut in the world’s biggest T20 league. His explosive batting and wicket-taking ability made him a standout performer for the franchise.
Key Highlights in IPL 2024:
- Played crucial finishing roles for Gujarat Titans.
- Delivered match-winning performances with bat and ball.
- Became a reliable death-over bowler.
2025 IPL Season – Punjab Kings
Ahead of IPL 2025, Omarzai was signed by Punjab Kings, further proving his growing reputation in franchise cricket. Fans eagerly anticipate his contributions for the team.
| Year |
Team |
Performance |
| 2024 |
Gujarat Titans |
All-round brilliance |
| 2025– |
Punjab Kings |
Key all-rounder |
Records & Milestones
Batting Records
| Format |
Matches |
Runs |
Batting Average |
100s/50s |
Top Score |
| ODI |
39 |
1,033 |
52.93 |
1/5 |
149* |
| T20I |
41 |
377 |
13.96 |
0/0 |
33 |
Bowling Records
| Format |
Balls Bowled |
Wickets |
Bowling Average |
Best Bowling |
| ODI |
927 |
36 |
18.77 |
5/58 |
| T20I |
603 |
27 |
31.59 |
3/22 |
Notable Achievements
First Afghan cricketer to score 149 in ODIs*
Fastest Afghan all-rounder to 1,000 ODI runs
Top-ranked Afghanistan player in ICC ODI all-rounder rankings
Only Afghan player with 50+ batting average and 30+ wickets in ODIs
Quick Profile & Career Overview
| Category |
Details |
| Full Name |
Azmatullah Omarzai |
| Born |
March 24, 2000 (Age 24) |
| Birthplace |
Kunar, Afghanistan |
| Batting Style |
Right-handed |
| Bowling Style |
Right-arm fast-medium |
| Role |
All-rounder |
| Teams |
Afghanistan, Punjab Kings (IPL), Mis Ainak Region |
Azmatullah Omarzai’s rise in international cricket has been nothing short of spectacular. His all-round ability, aggressive batting, and skillful bowling make him one of Afghanistan’s most valuable cricketers. With the 2025 IPL season and ICC Champions Trophy ahead, fans can expect even more match-winning performances from this Afghan star.
Stay tuned for more updates on Azmatullah Omarzai and Afghanistan Cricket!
