Azmatullah Omarzai, a beacon for Afghanistan’s GenNext

NEW DELHI: Among the new generation of

Afghanistan

cricketers, Azmatullah Omarzai has emerged as a beacon of hope. Born in Nurgal district of Kunar Province, Azmatullah grew up in a region where opportunities were scarce and dreams limited. He began his cricketing journey on those very streets, seemingly destined to rise from obscurity.
His introduction to cricket came at the age of 14, sparked by a moment of familial pride in 2014. As he sat watching Afghanistan defeat Bangladesh in the Asia Cup, his father asked if he wanted to pursue the game. Azmatullah’s response was immediate. He had loved cricket for years, honing his skills in street matches with his elder brothers. That day, his father’s approval set him on a path that would transform his raw talent into potential.
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Starting as a batter, Azmatullah impressed local selectors with his ability to strike the ball cleanly and bowl with purpose. By 2017, he had made his List ‘A’ debut for Mis Ainak Region in the Ghazi Amanullah Khan regional one-day tournament, showcasing his potential as an allrounder. His performances earned him a spot in Afghanistan’s U-19 World Cup squad in 2018, where he smashed eight sixes in four games – a sign of the power-hitting prowess that would define his career.

Azmatullah’s international breakthrough came in January 2021, in an ODI against Ireland. Initially overshadowed by veterans like Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah’s breakout year in 2023 saw him provide Afghanistan’s spin-reliant bowling attack with a potent seam option.

It was the 2023 ODI World Cup that truly announced his arrival. In India, Azmatullah emerged as Afghanistan’s standout performer, scoring 353 runs at an average of 70.6 and picking up seven wickets across nine matches.
“All I ever wanted was to play one game for the Afghanistan team. But once I joined the side, it felt that we have to give joy to our country’s people. That is always on my mind when I take the field for Afghanistan,” Azmatullah told TOI.
With the ball, his swing and deceptive pace troubled top-tier batsmen, earning praise from Sachin Tendulkar, who likened his wrist position to that of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Praveen Kumar.
“Our players are very passionate. We don’t say that we are a big team. We say that we can be better than our opponents on a given day. You can see our junoon (passion) on the field,” Azmatullah said.
In January 2024, facing Sri Lanka in an ODI, Azmatullah walked in at 19/3, chasing a daunting 383. With the scoreboard soon reading 55/5, hope seemed lost. Yet, alongside Mohammad Nabi, he forged a staggering 242-run partnership, finishing unbeaten on 149 off 115 balls. Though Afghanistan fell short, his innings was a testament to his resilience.
The performance earned him a lucrative IPL 2024 contract with Gujarat Titans, and later a Rs 2.4 crore deal with

Punjab Kings

for

IPL 2025

.
Azmatullah’s heroics continued in the 2024 T20 World Cup, where his contributions with bat and ball helped Afghanistan reach their first-ever semifinal.
“No matter what the situation is, we just try to give our best and have immense belief in our skills. Only a winning mentality helps at the international level,” said the 25-year-old.
Azmatullah’s form reached new heights in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Against England, he scored 41 off 31 balls and took 5/58 to secure a memorable win. Against Australia, he smashed a 63-ball 67, though rain denied a result. The crowning moment was being named ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year for 2024.
Off the field, his calm demeanour inspires his teammates.
“I don’t feel I’m a big star. Rashid Khan is our biggest star, also Mohammad Nabi. I have a good bonding with both of them. I learn a lot from them and want to take Afghan cricket to even greater heights. I hope I can take care of my junior players, as they (Rashid and Nabi) have done for me over the years,” Azmatullah said.