Omarzai Drives Afghanistan to a Fighting total of 244 Against South Africa

ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan middle Azmatullah Omarzai crucial 97 runs knocked helped Afghanistan to score 244 against South Africa in the ICC contest played at Ahmedabad, India on Friday. Despite losing quick wickets from one hand Omarzai managed to pushed the total to a fighting one due to his brilliant innings.

Earlier winning the toss Afghanistan decided to bat first. Both the openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran took a steady start and drove the innings to 40 in 8 overs. In the 9^th over Maharaj dismissed Gurbaz on 25. In the next over the other opener Ibrahim Zadran was also removed by Coetzee on 15. Afghanistan lost the 3^rd wicket very soon when the skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi got out on just 2 runs. After losing 3 wickets on 45 Rahmat Shah and Azmatullah Omarzai managed to stay on the creased and added 49 runs partnership for the side. However, in the 24 over, when the total reached 94 Rehmat Shah was dismissed on 26.

After the dismissal of Rehmat Shah Afghanistan lost some more quick wickets and became under pressure. However, Omarzai secured one hand and completed hi half century. while from the other hand Ikram Alikhil, Muhammad Nabi and Rashid Khan added few runs after dismissed by the protest pace and spin attack.

Meanwhile when the score reached 204 for 7 in the 38^th over number 9 batter Noor Ahmad stayed on the crease with Omarzai. Both contributed 44 crucial runs partnership for the team. After Noor Ahmad who scored 26, no other batter from the lower order managed to stay on the crease for long. However, Omarzai batted till end of the game and knocked a terrific inning of 97 runs on 107 balls. His innings included 3 sixes and 7 fours. Afghanistan were all out on 244 in 50 overs.

From South Africa Gerald Coetzee was the most successful bowlers taking 4 for 44 in his 10 over spill. Keshav Maharaj and Lungi Ngidi grabbed 2 wickets each while Andile Phehlukwayo got one wicket.

South Africa Team: Quinton de Kock, Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi

Afghanistan Team: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq