Azmatullah Omarzai struck a magnificent 116 off 50 balls to power Afghanistan to a 19-run victory in the second T20I against Zimbabwe in Sharjah on Thursday, October 29.
Azmatullah Omarzai breaks full-member record in whirlwind knock
At 5-4, Afghanistan were in a precarious situation when Omarzai walked out in the fourth over and went on to pull off a historic rescue act. He powered his side to 221-7 from that position, becoming the first player from full-member sides to score a century from number six or below.
The 26-year-old all-rounder completed his fifty off 31 balls while recovering the innings, and later changed gears rapidly, racing to his century off just 44 balls. He had an able support at the other end in Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai, who made 52 off 27 from number seven, and the duo together added 142 runs for the sixth wicket - the highest T20I partnership for the sixth wicket or lower.
Omarzai smashed 12 sixes and five fours in what was his maiden century in this format. In the process, Afghanistan also broke the record for the most runs scored in a men's T20I after the fall of fourth wicket. The previous record was held by India, who made 212-4 from 22-4 against Afghanistan in 2024.
Overall, Omarzai recorded the third-highest individual score in T20Is from number six or lower, behind Belgium’s Shaheryar Butt (125* against the Czech Republic in 2020) and Slovenia's Izaz Ali (118 against Serbia in 2025). No player from the full members had ever scored a century from No.6 or below before him, with Sam Billings’ 87 against West Indies in 2019 being the previous best.
Despite his knock, the victory wasn't straightforward for Afghanistan as Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza scored a century of his own, blasting 106 not out in 56 deliveries. Omarzai made an impact with the ball as well, picking up 1 for 17 in his two overs. With this win, Afghanistan took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, with the final game scheduled to be played on November 1.
Also read: Why a dropped towel saved a Zimbabwe batter from dismissal
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