AFG vs PAK: Afghanistan Face Big Blow Ahead Of Third ODI As Azmatullah Omarzai Gets Ruled Out Due To Injury

Afghanistan Cricket Team have suffered a major blow ahead of the dead-rubber third ODI against Pakistan. All-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai has been ruled out of the final game due to the injury. 

Azmatullah Omarzai sustained side strain ahead of the third game and was deemed unfit to play. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed about the development on their official X handle. 

Azmatullah Omarzai played in the first game and was decent with the ball and bat but was retired hurt after batting in the game. He looked in discomfort while bowling and bowled just 4.4 overs. With the bat too he batted just 12 balls before getting retired hurt. 

Azmatullah Omarzai then missed the second game as he was deemed unfit to play and now has been ruled out of the last game. The seriousness of the injury is not known and with Asia Cup 2023 around the corner, the board wouldn’t want to risk him for the tournament. 

AFG vs PAK: Afghanistan rope in Gulbadin Naib as replacement of Azmatullah Omarzai 

In place of Azmatullah Omarzai, the Afghanistan Cricket Team have named Gulbadin Naib as his replacement. The all-rounder will be joining the team ahead of the third ODI and might even find a place in the playing XI. He has a decent record in 50-over cricket as in 76 games he has scored 1170 runs and also has picked 65 wickets. 

? Squad Alert ?

Afghanistan all-rounder @AzmatOmarzay has been ruled out of the 3rd #AFGvPAK #SuperColaCup ODI after sustaining a side strain. He has been replaced by another all-rounder @GBNaib.

Wish you recover soon, Azmat! ?#AfghanAtalan | #ByaMaidanGato pic.twitter.com/iZFRjr0tOs

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) August 26, 2023

Coming to the series between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Men in Green have won the series after two magnificent performances. The Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side wewre horrendous with the bat in the first game as they managed just 59 runs while chasing 202 runs. 

In the second game, Afghanistan piled up a massive 300 runs on the board and were in control of the game with the ball as well. It seemed that they would win the second game but Pakistan pacer Naseem Shah finished the game and won the match for his side by 1 run.