Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai created headlines during the first One-Day International (ODI) against Sri Lanka in Pallekele on Friday, February 9 when they orchestrated a spectacular partnership that broke records.
Faced with a difficult situation, Afghanistan was suffering at 55-5. Nabi and Omarzai banded together to create an astonishing comeback. The pair shown incredible resilience and talent setting a historic partnership of 242 runs for the sixth wicket. This combination not only rescued Afghanistan from a grave situation but also established a new standard in ODI cricket history.
Afghanistan’s Nabi and Omarzai Rewrite ODI History with Brilliant Partnership
Omarzai’s Unbeaten 149 and Nabi’s 136 Propel Afghanistan, Breaking Dhoni-Jayawardena Record
Omarzai demonstrating outstanding batting power remained unbeaten on 149 runs off 115 deliveries. His innings featured six huge sixes and 13 boundaries demonstrating his ability to increase the scoring rate while also keeping the innings together. Meanwhile, Nabi a seasoned campaigner contributed 136 runs from 130 balls. His innings included three enormous sixes and 15 boundaries demonstrating his skill and experience.
Mohammad Nabi and Omarzai’s amazing combination overtook the famed duo of MS Dhoni and Mahela Jayawardena, who previously held the record with a 218-run stand for Asia XI versus Africa XI in 2007. Despite their outstanding performance, the Afghan couple came short of surpassing New Zealand’s Grant Elliot and Luke Ronchi who who had set an unbeaten 267-run partnership for the sixth wicket against the same opposition in Dunedin in January 2015.
Setting Records: Nabi-Omarzai Partnership Second Best in ODI History
Furthermore, Mohammad Nabi and Omarzai’s partnership held the second-best record for any wicket in ODIs trailing only Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran’s incredible 256-run opening stand against Bangladesh in 2023. This achievement underlines Afghanistan’s burgeoning international reputation as the team now has five ODI partnerships of 200 runs or more.
Despite Mohammad Nabi and Omarzai’s exploits Sri Lankan batsman Pathum Nissanka’s amazing double century stole the show. Nissanka’s unbeaten 210 off 139 deliveries helped Sri Lanka reach a formidable total of 381/3 in their allotted 50 overs making him the first Sri Lankan to make a double century in ODIs. Despite Afghanistan’s spirited chase they were unable to overcome the hosts’ bowling onslaught falling 42 runs behind.
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Sri Lanka’s victory also served as a type of revenge for their defeat against Afghanistan in the 2023 ODI World Cup. As the two teams prepare for the second round of the three-match ODI series on Sunday, February 11 cricket fans are looking forward to another thrilling conflict between these two powerful sides.