February 7, 2025: Azmatullah Omarzai, the Afghanistan all-rounder, expressed immense pride in becoming the first-ever Afghan player to win the prestigious ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year award. The 24-year-old was recognized for his exceptional performances in 2024, where he played a vital role in Afghanistan’s success, helping them win four out of five ODI series.
Omarzai’s outstanding individual stats included scoring 417 runs at an average of 52.12, with an unbeaten 149* against Sri Lanka, and taking 17 wickets at an average of 20.47, including a match-winning 4/18 against Zimbabwe. His all-round contributions led him to become the first Afghan cricketer to claim this prestigious ICC award.
Reflecting on the recognition, Omarzai said, “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.”
Omarzai also highlighted the contributions of other Afghan cricketers, particularly Rashid Khan, who recently became the leading wicket-taker in T20 cricket, wishing him further success. As Afghanistan prepares for its first ICC Champions Trophy campaign, Omarzai emphasized the team’s collective winning mindset and the immense potential of the country’s young players.