Azmatullah Omarzai scored unbeaten 73 runs against Sri Lanka (Photo: AFP)
He is not Hardik Pandya but has the talent to become like him. Meaning, he can become Afghanistan’s own Hardik Pandya of cricket. We are talking about Azmatullah Omarzai, who is trying his best to make the team win and win the hearts of the people with his game. Omarzai cannot be compared with Hardik Pandya right now and we are not even trying to do so. This is because he has not played many matches yet. It hasn’t been long since he stepped into international cricket. However, from whatever game he has shown so far, it seems that this player is going to make Afghanistan win many matches in the future.
Although Azmatullah Omarzai may not have been the player of the match in the victory over Sri Lanka in the World Cup 2023, but his role in this match was also no less. He contributed immensely in helping the team win against Sri Lanka, first with the ball and then with the bat. Omarzai took 1 wicket for 37 runs in 7 overs with the ball. With the bat, he played an unbeaten inning of 73 runs in 63 balls for the team, which included 6 fours and 3 sixes. He was the top scorer for Afghanistan in the victory over Sri Lanka. Also made a century partnership with captain Hashmutullah.
Made debut in 2021, played 19 ODIs so far
23-year-old all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai made his debut for Afghanistan in January 2021 while playing ODI for Ireland. Since then, till the victory over Sri Lanka, apart from scoring 340 runs in 19 matches, he has taken 11 wickets. The big thing is that his best score in ODI cricket was 73 unbeaten runs scored in the World Cup match against Sri Lanka. Meaning, when the team needed it most, they performed.
Afghanistan has the potential to become ‘Hardik Pandya’!
But is this the only thing that is visible in him like Hardik Pandya? No, apart from this, his ability to take wickets with the new ball and swing the ball from both sides also indicates his becoming Hardik Pandya of Afghanistan.
When Sachin saw, he remembered Bhuvi and Praveen
Sachin Tendulkar is also impressed by Omarzai’s bowling ability. According to Sachin, seeing the position of Omarzai’s wrists while bowling, he remembers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Praveen Kumar, who used to swing the ball very easily.
Looking at Azmatullahs wrist position, which I feel is very good, reminded me of @praveenkumar and @BhuviOfficial, It allows him to swing the ball both ways and in such conditions it could prove to be useful.@ACBofficials#ENGvAFG
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 15, 2023
If experience comes then you will become Hardik Pandya!
It is clear that Azmatullah Omarzai has talent and it has already started showing. Now it is a matter of experience, which will come with time, there are full chances that he will be seen playing the same role in Afghanistan cricket, which Hardik Pandya plays in Indian cricket.
