Afghanistan secured a historic eight-run win against England in their first ICC Champions Trophy match, powered by Azmatullah Omarzai’s five-wicket haul. Omarzai joined Gulbadin Naib and Hamid Hassan as the Afghan pacers with five-wicket hauls in ODIs. This article presents these notable performances, emphasizing their impact on the team’s success in international cricket.
Afghanistan marked a significant milestone in their history by achieving an eight-run victory over England in their inaugural ICC Champions Trophy match. This achievement was highlighted by an extraordinary performance from Azmatullah Omarzai, who claimed five wickets for 58 runs, making him the third Afghan pacer to achieve a five-wicket haul in ODIs. This article examines the notable five-wicket hauls recorded by Afghan fast bowlers in One Day Internationals.
1. Gulbadin Naib – 6/43 vs Ireland (Belfast, 2019)
Gulbadin Naib delivered a remarkable performance against Ireland during the 2019 ODI in Belfast, taking 6 wickets for 43 runs. His assault started with the dismissal of Paul Stirling. Following this, Naib took out Andy Balbirnie, Kevin O’Brien, Gary Wilson, and Tim Murtagh, crippling the Irish batting order and securing Afghanistan’s victory by 126 runs after Ireland was bowled out for 179 while chasing a target of 306.
2. Hamid Hassan – 5/45 vs UAE (Dubai, 2014)
In 2014, Hamid Hassan made history as the first Afghan pacer to clinch a five-wicket haul in ODIs, achieving this against the UAE in Dubai. His exceptional bowling performance led to the dismissal of players such as Saqib Ali and Rohan Mustafa, restricting UAE to 258 runs. Despite this strong effort, Afghanistan was bowled out for 228, falling short of victory.
3. Azmatullah Omarzai – 5/58 vs England (Lahore, 2025)
In a historic match against England at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, Azmatullah Omarzai excelled with a five-wicket haul, which contributed significantly to Afghanistan’s narrow victory while defending a target of 326 runs. His performance included dismissing key batsmen, including Jos Buttler and Joe Root. Omarzai now holds the record for the best figures by an Afghan bowler in ICC ODI tournaments with 5/58.
In conclusion, Afghanistan’s fast bowlers have made notable contributions to their success in One Day Internationals, with several achieving remarkable five-wicket hauls. Players like Gulbadin Naib, Hamid Hassan, and Azmatullah Omarzai have left their mark, showcasing their skills in critical matches. These performances highlight not only individual brilliance but also the team’s potential on the international stage.
Original Source: www.newsbytesapp.com
