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ABU DHABI: All-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai etched his name into Afghanistan’s history books by slamming the fastest half-century in the Asia Cup 2025 opener against Hong Kong here at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
All-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai etched his name into Afghanistan’s history books by smashing the fastest half-century in the Asia Cup 2025 opener against Hong Kong at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Afghanistan chalked up 188 for the loss of six wickets in their 20 overs, courtesy of some fine batting from Azmatullah Omarzai and Sediqullah Atal.
Omarzai, who had a lean run before heading into the Asia Cup 2025, lit up the stadium with a powerful knock.
The right-handed batter came in at a time just when Afghanistan were reeling at 95-4 in 12.4 overs.
He paired up with Atal for a brisk partnership that not only took his team out of trouble but also took them to a strong total. Azmatullah Omarzai made 53 off 21 balls, striking five sixes and two fours.
The 25-year-old recorded the feat of fastest fifty for Afghanistan in the 19th over with three sixes and a four of Ayush Shukla.
Earlier, Mohammad Nabi held the record for the fastest half-century. The veteran batter had scored fifty off 21 balls against Ireland at Greater Noida in 2017.
Fastest T20I fifty by Afghanistan batters:
Azmatullah Omarzai* 20 balls vs Hong Kong 2025
Mohammad Nabi 21 balls vs Ireland 2017
Hazratullah Zazai 22 balls vs Ireland 2018
Najibullah Zadran 22 balls vs Zimbabwe 2019
At the time of filing this story, Afghanistan were in a dominant position as Hong Kong were reeling with 22-4 in only 4.3 overs.
