Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai added another milestone to his growing international career by becoming one of the fastest batters to reach 50 sixes in One Day Internationals (ODIs) during the third ODI against India national cricket team. Omarzai achieved the feat with two maximums in the match, entering an elite list of power-hitters in ODI cricket.

Omarzai and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi stitched together a 105-run partnership to rebuild the innings after Afghanistan faced early setbacks. Omarzai’s innings came to an end after he played a crucial role in Afghanistan’s recovery.

Omarzai among fastest batters to 50 ODI sixes

With this achievement, Omarzai reached the 50-sixes mark in just 36 ODI innings. According to the record list, only Corey Anderson and Liam Livingstone got there faster, taking 32 and 34 innings respectively. Omarzai is now the joint third-fastest batter to reach 50 ODI sixes, sharing the position with Muhammad Waseem after both achieved the milestone in 36 innings.

Fastest to 50 ODI sixes (by innings):

• Corey Anderson – 32 innings
• Liam Livingstone – 34 innings
• Azmatullah Omarzai – 36 innings
• Muhammad Waseem – 36 innings
• Shimron Hetmyer – 38 innings
• Harry Brook – 38 innings

Notably, no Indian batter features among the top five fastest players to reach 50 ODI sixes.

Equals Shahidi’s record against India

Omarzai’s half-century also helped him match captain Hashmatullah Shahidi’s record for the most ODI fifties by an Afghanistan batter against India. Both players now have two ODI half-centuries against the Indian team.

The latest achievement further highlights Omarzai’s importance to Afghanistan’s ODI setup, where he has established himself as one of the team’s most impactful all-rounders in recent years.

Fast bowler Prince Yadav achieved a major milestone in his cricket career after making his international debut for India in the second ODI against Afghanistan in Lucknow on Wednesday. The Delhi pacer was handed his maiden India cap as the hosts made changes to their playing XI for the match.

Yadav’s selection marked the latest chapter in a journey that has included both setbacks and redemption. He came into the side after India reshuffled their lineup, with Nitish Kumar Reddy unavailable due to injury.

Long road to international cricket

The 24-year-old fast bowler rose through the ranks after establishing himself in domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League. Playing for the Lucknow Super Giants, Yadav emerged as one of the team’s notable performers during the 2026 IPL season, picking up 16 wickets in 14 matches.

He also grabbed headlines earlier this year when he dismissed Virat Kohli during an IPL match, a moment that significantly boosted his profile among cricket fans.

BCCI suspension and comeback

Yadav’s path to the national team was far from straightforward. In 2019, the BCCI imposed a two-year suspension on the pacer after he was found guilty of age-fudging in Under-19 cricket. According to reports, a discrepancy was found between documents submitted to the cricket board and records maintained by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).

The suspension kept him out of domestic cricket for two seasons. During that period, Yadav reportedly focused on improving his fitness and preparing for a return to competitive cricket.

His performances after returning helped him rebuild his career, eventually earning opportunities in domestic cricket, the IPL and now the Indian national team.

The debut against Afghanistan represents a significant turnaround for the Delhi fast bowler, who has gone from serving a suspension to representing India on the international stage.

India spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule has weighed in on the controversy involving young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi following India A’s dramatic Super Over defeat to Sri Lanka A in the ongoing Tri-Nation Series.

The incident occurred after the match in Dambulla, where tempers flared between Sooryavanshi and Sri Lanka A cricketer Vishen Halambage. Reports indicated that comments were directed at the Indian batters as they headed back towards the dressing room after the game, leading to a heated exchange.

Video footage from the aftermath showed Sooryavanshi confronting Halambage before the two players briefly came into physical contact. Other Sri Lanka A players intervened and prevented the situation from escalating further.

Speaking about the matter, Bahutule described the episode as unfortunate and stressed that such situations can be avoided with greater discipline on the field. He expressed confidence that coaching staff from both teams would ensure similar incidents do not recur.

The coach also suggested that players on both sides should be educated about appropriate conduct during high-pressure matches, highlighting the importance of maintaining respect and sportsmanship even in intense competitive situations.

The altercation has sparked debate among cricket followers, with differing opinions emerging over the actions of the players involved. The incident came at the end of a tense contest that saw Sri Lanka A defeat India A in a Super Over after a closely fought encounter.

The young Sooryavanshi, regarded as one of India’s most promising batting talents, has attracted significant attention in recent months. However, the focus after the Dambulla match shifted from cricketing performances to player behaviour, prompting reactions from officials and coaches.

With the tournament continuing, attention is expected to return to on-field performances as both teams look ahead to their remaining fixtures.