Omarzai: First Afghan to Win ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer Award


Omarzai: First Afghan to Win ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer Award

Omarzai has delivered standout performances, including a maiden ODI century (149 not out) against Sri Lanka and a career-best bowling spell of 4 for 18 against Zimbabwe

 
omarzai

January 28, 2025 - Afghanistan's young all-round cricketer Azmatullah Omarzai has made history by becoming the first player from Afghanistan to receive an ICC award. He has been named the ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year for 2024. He beat out West Indies' Sherfane Rutherford, Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis and Wanindu Hasaranga to win the honour.

He has become the first Afghan player to earn the title of International Cricket Council's (ICC) Men's Cricketer of the Year in the One-Day International (ODI) format. Although Rashid Khan was the 2020 Men's T20I Cricketer of the Decade winner, Omarzai is the first cricketer from his nation to win the annual award in any format.

Omarzai has shown his prowess with both bat and ball. In 14 games, the 24 year old amassed 417 runs at an average of 52 and a strike rate of 105. In 2024, he recorded a century and three fifties. In 14 games, he also took 17 wickets, including two four-wicket hauls, making him one of the format's top wicket-takers.

Omarzai has delivered standout performances, including a maiden ODI century (149 not out) against Sri Lanka and a career-best bowling spell of 4 for 18 against Zimbabwe.

Omarzai expressed his delight at the honour, saying, “It is an honour to receive this award and to represent Afghanistan on the global stage. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and support of my teammates, coaches and fans.”

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