Five-Wicket Hauls by Afghan Pacers in One Day Internationals

Afghanistan achieved a historic eight-run victory against England in the ICC Champions Trophy, with Azmatullah Omarzai claiming a five-wicket haul (5/58), becoming the third Afghan pacer to accomplish this in ODIs. The article reviews the successful five-wicket hauls by Afghan seamers, featuring Gulbadin Naib and Hamid Hassan.

In their inaugural ICC Champions Trophy, Afghanistan celebrated a remarkable eight-run victory over England in their second match, thanks in large part to Ibrahim Zadran’s impressive 177 and Azmatullah Omarzai’s outstanding five-wicket haul of 5/58. With this achievement, Omarzai became the third Afghan bowler to secure a five-wicket haul in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Here, we present a list of Afghan seamers who have accomplished this feat in ODIs.

1. Gulbadin Naib – 6/43 vs Ireland (Belfast, 2019)
Gulbadin Naib recorded remarkable figures of 6/43 against Ireland in an ODI held in Belfast in 2019. Defending a target of 306 runs, Naib initiated his performance by taking the wicket of Paul Stirling, who scored 50. He then proceeded to dismantle Ireland’s batting order, claiming the wickets of Andy Balbirnie (20), Kevin O’Brien (12), Gary Wilson (34), and Tim Murtagh without scoring, leading to Ireland’s all-out for just 179 runs, securing Afghanistan’s victory by 126 runs.

2. Hamid Hassan – 5/45 vs UAE (Dubai, 2014)
In 2014, Hamid Hassan made history by becoming the first Afghan seamer to achieve a five-wicket haul in ODIs, accomplishing this against the UAE in Dubai. His bowling performance included the dismissals of Saqib Ali, Krishna Chandran, Rohan Mustafa, Saqlain Haider, and Fahad Alhashmi, limiting the UAE to a total of 258/9. Despite his efforts, three-wicket contributions from Kamran Shazad and Mustafa helped UAE dismiss Afghanistan for 228 runs.

3. Azmatullah Omarzai – 5/58 vs England (Lahore, 2025)
As highlighted earlier, Azmatullah Omarzai played a pivotal role in Afghanistan’s historic win over England, achieving a five-wicket haul in the match at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. His impressive bowling performance led to England being bowled out for 317 while chasing a target of 326 runs. Omarzai’s 5/58 represents the best figures for an Afghan bowler in ICC ODI tournaments, marking a significant milestone in his career. He took key wickets, including those of Philip Salt, Jos Buttler, and centurion Joe Root.

Afghanistan’s journey in ODIs has been marked by outstanding performances from its bowlers, particularly evident in the five-wicket hauls achieved by Gulbadin Naib, Hamid Hassan, and Azmatullah Omarzai. Their accomplishments not only contribute to the team’s victories but also set a foundation for future talents. Omarzai’s recent achievement solidifies his position among Afghanistan’s bowling elite, inspiring further success in international cricket.

Original Source: www.newsbytesapp.com