Champions Trophy: Atal and Omarzai's Fifties Propel Afghanistan to 273 Against Australia
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Synopsis
On February 28, Afghanistan posted a competitive score of 273 against Australia in the Group B Champions Trophy, thanks to strong performances from Sediqullah Atal (85) and Azmatullah Omarzai (67) at the Gaddafi Stadium.
Key Takeaways
- Sediqullah Atal scored 85 runs.
- Azmatullah Omarzai contributed 67 runs.
- Afghanistan posted a total of 273 runs.
- Ben Dwarshuis was the top bowler for Australia with 3-47.
- Australia needs to chase 274 runs to win.
Lahore, Feb 28 (NationPress) Sediqullah Atal navigated an early challenge to score 85, while Azmatullah Omarzai impressed with 67, leading Afghanistan to a solid total of 273 in their 50 overs against Australia during the Group B Champions Trophy match at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.
Facing a probing new ball, Atal bided his time, striking six fours and three sixes in a 95-ball innings. Following a middle-order collapse, Omarzai—who was named the ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year in 2024—smacked five sixes and a four in a brilliant 63-ball performance towards the end. For Australia, who gifted 37 extras, Ben Dwarshuis stood out with figures of 3-47, while Adam Zampa and Spencer Johnson each took two wickets. Glenn Maxwell and Nathan Ellis claimed one wicket each, leaving Australia with a target of 274 on a sluggish pitch in Lahore.
Choosing to bat first, Afghanistan had a rocky start as Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed for a duck by a stunning inswinging yorker from Johnson in the opening over. With Johnson and Dwarshuis making the ball swing, Atal was tested repeatedly outside the off-stump.
Despite numerous close calls, Atal and Ibrahim Zadran steadied the ship, each hitting two boundaries as Afghanistan finished the first power-play at 54/1. However, Zadran fell in the 14th over, caught at backward point off Zampa for 22.
Five overs later, Rahmat Shah attempted a back-foot drive against Maxwell but edged behind to Josh Inglis for 12. Atal marked his third fifty-plus score in eight ODIs with a spectacular six off Maxwell, reaching the milestone in 64 balls.
Though Atal struck two fours and two sixes, it didn't alleviate the struggles of captain Hashmatullah Shahidi. In an effort to keep the momentum, Atal went for an ambitious shot but was caught by Steve Smith at short cover, departing for 85 in the 32nd over. Shahidi's uneven innings ended shortly after, top-edging a sweep off Zampa for 20. With Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib falling in quick succession, Afghanistan found themselves in a precarious position at 199/7 by the end of the 40th over.
Despite Omarzai hitting two sixes and Rashid Khan adding two fours, Australia fought back, with Rashid caught at long-on off Dwarshuis for 19. Omarzai, however, reached his fifty in 54 balls, hitting three sixes off Ellis, including two in the 49th over. He finished with a four off Dwarshuis before being caught in the deep. By then, Omarzai had successfully propelled Afghanistan past the crucial 270-run mark.
Brief scores:
Afghanistan 273 all out in 50 overs (Sediqullah Atal 85, Azmatullah Omarzai 67; Ben Dwarshuis 3-47, Adam Zampa 2-48) against Australia
