Rashid Khan is unarguably the greatest in Afghanistan’s growing cricket, Azmatullah Omarzai has shown his presence from the side after winning the first-ever ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year in ICC awards 2024 for his country.
This a feat that Rashid Khan had not even achieved, which makes Omarzai feel his award will be an inspiration for the future generations of cricketers of his country.
“It is a matter of great happiness for me to become the first Afghan player to win the ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year award. This will also be an inspiration for our youth of the future generation.”
“I will try to play better in the future. There is still a lot to achieve,” said Omarzai on the sidelines of SA20 2025 where he plays for MI Cape Town.
He finished the year as his national team’s second highest run scorer and second highest wicket taker with Afghanistan’s winning four of their five ODI series in 2024.
He claimed 17 wickets in 14 matches in ODI cricket last year at an average of 20.47 and scored 412 runs at an average of above 50.
“It feels great that I am playing here for the first time and we are in the final. The team has a good combination from the first day itself, everyone is giving their 100 percent on the field and that is why we are winning continuously,” he said.
After finishing last in the last two seasons, MI Cape Town has reached the final by winning five matches in a row.
“I play with Rashid in the Afghanistan team as well, so it feels great that he is the captain of my team in SA20 as well.”
“He gives a lot of confidence to the players. Seeing the energy with which he plays on the field, we also try to play with the same energy and give our 100 percent on the field,” said Azmatullah Omarzai.
His key performances comes in ODI series wins against Ireland, South Africa, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe last year.
He also congratulating Rashid on breaking the record of West Indies’ Dwayne Bravo for highest T20 Wicket taker during the first qualifier against Paarl Royals in SA20.
“It is a matter of great happiness that a player emerges from Afghanistan, who creates a world record. We hope that Rashid takes so many wickets that no one can break his record,” Omarzai added.
“It has been a very good experience for me and I have tried to learn from the senior players which will be useful for me in the future as well. The atmosphere of the team is very good and we are fully supporting each other and love each other. It feels great that I am a part of this team.”said Azmatullah Omarzai.
He also spoke about Afghanistan memorable win against Australia in the T20 World Cup last year, as the result of team efforts, he said that they always play with the spirit of winning.
“Afghanistan has a very good team and the young players are doing well. Our goal is that we have to go and play and win. Whichever team we play against, we just play to win. We have full faith in our skills and support each other and that is why we have been very successful for the last two years,” he said.
