All-Rounder Omarzai Breaks Nabi’s T20I Fifty Record in Asia Cup Opener

Key points

• Afghanistan posts 188 after shaky start
• Atal remains unbeaten on 73 runs
• Omarzai smashes 53 off 21 balls

ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai broke former captain Mohammad Nabi’s long-standing T20I record during the Asia Cup 2025 opener against Hong Kong at the Zayed Cricket Stadium.

Thanks to a blistering innings, Omarzai now holds the record for the fastest half-century by an Afghan batsman in T20 internationals, reaching the landmark in just 20 balls.

Fastest T20I fifty by Afghanistan batters:

Opening batter Sediqullah Atal and Azmatullah Omarzai’s explosive half-centuries propelled Afghanistan to a commanding total in the tournament opener on Tuesday.

Captain Rashid Khan’s decision to bat first paid off, as Afghanistan posted 188 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs.

The innings began on a shaky note, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz (8) and Ibrahim Zadran (1) dismissed early, leaving Afghanistan reeling at 26 for 2 within the first three overs.

Brief spell

Mohammad Nabi then helped stabilise the innings alongside Atal, putting on 51 runs for the third wicket. The experienced all-rounder played a brisk innings of 33 off 26 deliveries, including three boundaries and a six, before being dismissed by Kinchit Shah in the 11th over.

Gulbadin Naib’s brief spell at the crease ended shortly after, but Omarzai’s arrival shifted the momentum decisively.

The hard-hitting all-rounder blasted 53 from just 21 balls, featuring two fours and five sixes, and played a dominant role in an 82-run stand with Atal for the fifth wicket before falling to Ayush Shukla in the 19th over.

Atal remained solid at the other end, finishing unbeaten on 73 from 52 balls, which included six fours and three sixes, to anchor Afghanistan’s innings.