Azmatullah Omarzai scripts history after walking in at 5/4, smashes T20I world record

Azmatullah Omarzai produced a stunning rescue act with the bat, smashing a record-breaking century to help Afghanistan recover from a disastrous start and post 221/7 against Zimbabwe in the second T20I at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Walking in with Afghanistan reeling at 5/4, Omarzai launched a counter-attack that completely changed the course of the innings. He hammered 116 off just 50 balls, striking five fours and 12 sixes at an astonishing strike rate of 232.

With the effort, Omarzai registered the highest individual score by a batter coming in at No. 6 or lower in T20Is involving Full Member nations. He went past the previous record of 89, scored by former Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi against Ireland in 2017.

The record-breaking knock also put Omarzai ahead of Sam Billings (87 against West Indies in 2019), Cameron White (85 not out against Sri Lanka in 2010) and David Miller (85 not out against Pakistan in 2021) on the list.

Afghanistan’s innings had been in complete disarray after Zimbabwe’s bowlers reduced them to 5/4. Several top-order batters departed cheaply, while Sediqullah Atal managed just 17 off 21 deliveries before falling in the ninth over.

Omarzai found an ideal partner in Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai, and the duo launched a remarkable recovery. They added 142 runs off only 59 balls for the sixth wicket, with Ijaz contributing a blistering 52 off 27 deliveries, including five fours and three sixes.

The partnership was finally broken when Ijaz fell with the score at 180. Omarzai continued his assault before being dismissed in the 19th over, having already produced one of the finest rescue acts in Afghanistan’s T20I history.

Captain Rashid Khan provided a spectacular finish, smashing an unbeaten 25 off just six balls, including four sixes. Mujeeb Ur Rahman remained not out on two as Afghanistan closed their innings at 221/7, scoring at 11.05 runs per over.

Rashid also achieved a major milestone during the match, becoming the first bowler to claim 200 wickets in T20Is.

Zimbabwe fall short despite Sikandar Raza’s century

Zimbabwe were unable to overcome the imposing target despite a determined effort from captain Sikandar Raza, who scored his second T20I century.

Raza fought till the end, but the visitors ultimately fell short, with Afghanistan’s early batting collapse proving to be a distant memory after Omarzai’s extraordinary intervention.

Tafadzwa Tsiga offered valuable support on his debut, while the dismissal of Ryan Burl dealt another blow to Zimbabwe’s hopes.

The victory also extended Afghanistan’s remarkable dominance in the rivalry, marking their eighth consecutive T20I series win against Zimbabwe. The visitors are yet to win a T20I series against Afghanistan.