NEW DELHI: Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai, celebrated for his dynamic pace bowling and powerful batting, was named the ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year 2024 on Monday. The 24-year-old built on a stellar 2023 campaign to establish himself as one of the premier One-Day International performers last year.
Omarzai also showcased his talent in T20Is and franchise cricket, but it was in ODIs where he made the biggest impact. He ended the year as Afghanistan's second-highest run-scorer, behind Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and second-highest wicket-taker, trailing only AM Ghazanfar. His efforts played a crucial role in Afghanistan winning four out of their five ODI series in 2024.
Also See:
Champions Trophy 2025 |
Champions Trophy Schedule 2025Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!In 14 matches, Omarzai amassed 417 runs at an impressive average of 52.12 and claimed 17 wickets at a bowling average of 20.47. His all-round brilliance propelled Afghanistan to series victories over Ireland, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe.
Among his standout performances, Omarzai smashed an unbeaten 149 in his first ODI of the year, a valiant effort in a loss against Sri Lanka.
Another unforgettable innings came against South Africa, where he blasted 86 not out off just 50 balls, guiding Afghanistan to a commanding victory in the second ODI and clinching the series.
Omarzai’s consistent excellence with both bat and ball underlined his status as a cornerstone of Afghanistan's success in 2024.
The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the ...
Read MoreThe TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide.
From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more.
The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics.
We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects.
We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.
Read Less
Start a Conversation
Post comment