Omarzai’s career-best takes Afghanistan to 244
A remarkable innings from Azmatullah Omarzai (97 off 107 balls), also his highest score in ODIs, was the backbone of Afghanistan’s moderate total of 244 against South Africa in Ahmedabad on Friday (November 10). Opting to bat, the Asian side found themselves in a hole at 116/6 but as has been the case against South Africa’s bowlers often in this tournament, the lower middle order fought back under Omarzai’s leadership to get Afghanistan to a respectable total. The innings started off on a promising note as Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran appeared unfazed by the initial new-ball spell from South Africa. The latter in particular appeared in ominous touch as the score raced to 41/0 in eight overs. The introduction of spin though, changed the tide as Keshav Maharaj struck off his very first ball to dislodge Gurbaz. Soon after, Zadran perished to Gerald Coetzee while skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi became Maharaj’s second victim of the afternoon. In the space of just 17 deliveries, Afghanistan had lost three wickets with just four runs added to the total. Rahmat Shah along with Omarzai stitched a 49-run stand to do a brief repair job but the former’s innings was cut short by Lungi Ngidi. Afghanistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals even as Omarzai appeared to have settled down nicely on this pitch. Unfortunately for him, the other specialist batters all fell rather cheaply, leaving him with the lower order for company in just the 28th over of the innings. However, Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad both weighed in with priceless cameos to give Omarzai the support he craved for. Both the partnerships were 44 apiece with the all-rounder being the dominant partner. Rashid couldn’t quite wield the long handle as we know him to, but Noor struck a few useful hits towards the back end. At one stage, even 200 seemed a bridge too far but Omarzai along with the lower order ensured a fighting total on the board for Afghanistan. The 23-year-old grew in confidence as the innings progressed and struck the ball cleanly at the back end. A maiden ODI century beckoned but an outstanding 50th over from Kagiso Rabada denied Omarzai of the three-figure mark. That said, he and Afghanistan would readily take this fightback after the kind of situation that they were in early on in the innings. Apart from Maharaj who bowled a standout spell, Coetzee impressed with a four-fer as Afghanistan batters found his pace too hot to handle. Brief scores: (Cricbuzz)
Afghanistan 244 in 50 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 25, Rahmat Shah 26, Azmatullah Omarzai 97*, Noor Ahmad 26; Gerald Coetzee 4-44, Keshav Maharaj 2-25, Lungi Ngidi 2-69) vs South Africa
