Afghanistan‘s rise as a competitive force in international cricket has been powered by a group of talented players capable of making an impact with both bat and ball. While stars such as Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan have become synonymous with Afghan cricket, Indian all-rounder Vijay Shankar has picked a different name when asked about his favourite Afghanistan player.
Vijay Shankar picks his favourite Afghanistan player
Speaking during a conversation with former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin on Ashwin’s YouTube channel, Shankar’s choice was Azmatullah Omarzai and he explained why Omarzai stands out for him.
The Indian cricketer highlighted the Afghanistan star’s ability to contribute in several departments rather than being limited to one specific role. Shankar particularly pointed to Omarzai’s bowling, batting and fielding, describing him as a genuine all-rounder.
“He’s my favorite player. He can swing the ball both ways, bats and fields brilliantly. So he’s a complete package and a proper all-rounder. He is not just a bits-and-pieces all-rounder that’ll give you two overs,” Shankar said.
The comments underline the qualities that have made Omarzai an increasingly important member of Afghanistan’s squad. Rather than selecting the more obvious choice in Rashid, Shankar focused on a player whose versatility allows him to influence different phases of a match.
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Afghan star’s splendid show leaves everyone impressed
Shankar’s assessment also came against the backdrop of Omarzai’s contribution in the first T20I against India. Afghanistan endured a difficult start with their top order collapsing to 43 for 5, leaving the team in serious trouble. Omarzai responded by taking responsibility for the innings and producing a crucial unbeaten 64 from 44 deliveries. His knock contained four fours and four sixes, giving Afghanistan the momentum required to recover from their precarious position.
His scoring rate was another notable aspect of the innings. Omarzai struck at 145.45, maintaining the attacking intent needed to push Afghanistan towards a competitive total despite losing wickets at regular intervals. With Omarzai holding the innings together, Afghanistan eventually reached 156 for 8. His unbeaten effort was comfortably the standout batting performance for the side and provided the foundation for a respectable total after the early collapse. Omarzai’s individual effort, however, was not enough to prevent India from taking control of the contest. India chased down Afghanistan’s total and secured a seven-wicket victory in the opening T20I.
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