Two Afghanistan star players in white-ball cricket, Rashid Khan and Azmatullah Omarzai, have been the big winners on their latest update in the ICC Men’s ODI player rankings. Rashid regains his place as the number one-ranked ODI bowler in the world post their 3-0 series victory against Bangladesh, while the all-rounder returned to the top spot in the ODI all-rounders. 

Rashid took 11 wickets across the three games to move up five places and overtakes the left-arm spinner of the South Africa side, Keshav Maharaj, at the top of the rankings for the ODI bowlers, while Omarzai has climbed up the veteran of the Zimbabwean side, Sikandar Raza, on the list of ODI all-rounders, thanks to his seven wickets across the series.

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The Player of the Series award winner, Ibrahim Zadran, has started to compete for the number one spot in the list of ODI batters. He has risen eight spots to improve to second only behind India’s newly appointed captain, Shubman Gill. It’s a confidence booster for the side as they start their preparations for the next World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

Rashid Khan and Azmatullah Omarzai become number one bowler and all-rounder in latest ICC rankings

There is some movement in the updated Test rankings after India’s 2-0 series victory at home against the West Indies. Young opening batter, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and veteran spinner, Kuldeep Yadav, are among the biggest winners.

Jaiswal improves two places to rise to the fifth position behind the top spot ranker, England’s Joe Root, while Kuldeep climbs seven spots to move to 14th among Test bowlers. Shai Hope and John Campbell, both centurions for the Caribbean side, have broken through the rankings to 66 and 68.

ICC ODI Bowlers’ Rankings on October 15, 2025

Afghanistan crushed Bangladesh by 5 wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the ODI series. Azmatullah Omarzai and Rashid Khan took three wickets each, restricting Bangladesh to 221 runs. In reply, fifties from Gurbaz and Rahmat Shah helped Afghanistan reach the target safely.

The match, the first of the three-match series, was played at Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Wednesday. Afghanistan chased the 222-run target with 17 balls to spare. Bangladesh, who won the toss and chose to bat first, were bowled out for 221 runs in 48.5 overs.

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Afghanistan Beat Bangladesh by 5 Wickets in ODI Opener

Bangladesh chose to bat first but lost their key opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim early. Saif Hassan played well, scoring 26 runs off 37 balls before getting out to Nangeyalia Kharote.

Then, skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Towhid Hridoy rebuilt the innings, adding 101 runs together. Miraz scored 60 off 87 balls before getting out, and Towhid Hridoy was run out later. Bangladesh could manage only 221 runs.

Afghanistan started their chase strongly. The openers added 52 runs before Ibrahim Zadran got out. Sediqullah Atal also got out cheaply. But Gurbaz and Rahmat Shah added 78 runs together to steady the innings.

Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi and Azmatullah Omarzai finished the job. Azmatullah Omarzai shined with the ball and bat, taking three important wickets and scoring 40 runs in the chase. Afghanistan chased down the target and won by 5 wickets.

This win gives Afghanistan a 1–0 lead in the three-match ODI series. The second match will be played later this week as Afghanistan aim to win the series and build momentum for their upcoming international games.

𝐀𝐟𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐧! 🙌#AfghanAtalan have put on a clinical batting performance to chase down the target and beat Bangladesh by 5 wickets in the first match of the Etisalat Cup ODI Series. 👏#AFGvBAN2025 | #GloriousNationVictoriousTeam pic.twitter.com/LOgPN3TR4e

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) October 8, 2025

Brief Scores

Bangladesh: 221 in 48.5 overs (Miraj 60, Hridoy 56, Saif 26; Rashid 3/38, Omarzai 3/40, Ghazanfar 2/55). 

Afghanistan: 226/5 in 47.1 overs (Gurbaz 50, Rahmat 50, Omarzai 40, Shahidi 33*, Zadran 23; Tanzim 3/31).

 Result: Afghanistan won by 5 wickets.

The key Group B match of the Asia Cup 2025, Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, was a thriller, where Bangladesh stayed alive in the tournament after securing a crucial eight-run win. While the Afghan batting line-up was struggling from the very first ball of the second innings, there was a game-changing moment for the Afghans when Azmatullah Omarzai smashed 20 runs in an over.

It was the 14th over of the second innings, when Afghanistan were struggling at 77/5, and they still needed 78 runs in 42 balls while chasing a 155-run target. As Bangladesh went with four front-line bowlers, they needed to bowl four overs with the part-timers, where the Tigers conceded 55 runs in those four overs.

See Also: Top 3 reasons why Afghanistan lost to Bangladesh in the Asia Cup 2025 match 9

Asia Cup 2025 (Group B), BAN vs AFG: Azmatullah Omarzai hit two sixes and one four in an over

While Shamim Hossain conceded 16 runs in an over, Saif Hassan conceded 39 runs in three overs. In the 14th over, while the Afghans were struggling, Azmatullah Omarzai smashed 20 runs to Saif, as the momentum changed. Starting that over with a four after beating the sweeper fielder, the right-handed batter hit a six over long off on the next delivery. While the third ball was a dot, Omarzai smashed a monstrous sixer over midwicket that travelled 93 metres. In the next two balls, Omarzai took back-to-back two runs to complete the over with 20 runs. 

Azmat keeps the chase alive & kicking with some lusty hits 😯👀

Watch thrilling #DPWORLDASIACUP2025 action - LIVE on #SonyLIV & #SonySportsNetwork TV Channels 📺#AsiaCup #BANvAFG pic.twitter.com/vXGGfstcLP

— Sony LIV (@SonyLIV) September 16, 2025

Afghanistan must win against Sri Lanka

However, Afghanistan's brave fight was just short of the target. They were all out for 146 runs in 20 overs, where Rahmanullah Gurbaz (35), Omarzai (30), and captain Rashid Khan (20) had major contributions, but they didn't get enough support. 

All four regular Bangladesh bowlers picked up at least two wickets. While the Player of the Match Nasum Ahmed was exceptional with the bowling figures of 4-1-11-2, Mustafizur Rahman took three wickets (3/28), and Taskin Ahmed (2/34) and Rishad Hossain (2/18) both picked up two wickets each. 

So, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh both have four points, while Afghanistan have two points, and they must beat Sri Lanka to advance to the Super Fours. If Afghanistan fail to beat Sri Lanka, Bangladesh will qualify for the Super Fours along with the Lankans, but if the Afghans manage to beat the Lankans, the Tigers are unlikely to reach the Super Four, except for a giant defeat for Sri Lanka. 

Afghanistan’s lower-order batter, Azmatullah Omarzai, has been in excellent form during the ongoing 2025 season of the Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In their opening clash against Hong Kong at the Sheik Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, the right-handed batter clubbed 53 runs in 21 balls to shoulder them to 188, which turned out to be a winning score. 

Omarzai, Afghanistan's batter, was again required to show the same aggression during their struggling chase in the second encounter against Bangladesh at the same venue. Walking out to bat in the 11th over of the second innings, the right-hander took his time in the first few deliveries before starting the 14th over of the innings with a massive couple of shots.

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He nailed Saif Hasan for a four on the very first ball of the innings. Going back in the crease, he cut the length ball hard to beat the diving cover-point region for a boundary before lofting the second delivery over long-off region for a huge six. Two balls later, he went low and slog swept the bowler over deep square-leg for the same result.

Watch: Azmatullah Omarzai nails massive sixes against Bangladesh in Asia Cup 2025

After a quiet 15th over of the innings, Azmatullah made room against Taskin Ahme and used his power against the short delivery on the stumps to make a sweet connection and get six runs off the blade. However, he looked to repeat the same shot on the very next ball and got dismissed for 30 runs in 16 balls with the help of one boundary and three sixes.

Azmatullah Omarzai smashes the Asia Cup’s longest six, but falls next ball 🫡

Watch #BANvAFG LIVE now on the Sony Sports Network TV channels & Sony LIV.#SonySportsNetwork #DPWorldAsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/5SDtjcpTv7

— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) September 16, 2025

Bowling the penultimate over of the innings, Omarzai got the wicket of Towhid Hridoy for 26 runs in 20 balls. The balls smashed the wide ball hard towards the deep extra cover, but didn’t have the full elevation to get out.

Omarzai, who has been a vital member in the T20Is, featured in the IPL 2025 for the Punjab Kings as Afghanistan went on to taste defeat in the contest by eight runs. They will now face Sri Lanka in a do-or-die clash on September 18 at the same venue.

Afghanistan got off to a winning start in the Asia Cup 2025 Group B clash with a dominant performance against Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi. Following a shaky start, Afghanistan's middle order stepped up with Sediqullah Atal's unbeaten 73 and Azmatullah Omarzai's record-breaking fifty; Afghanistan finished up compiling a strong score of 188/6. In reply, Hong Kong faltered badly, collapsing in the powerplay and never recovering as they were bundled out for under 100. Afghanistan’s clinical bowling and sharp fielding sealed a massive 94-run victory to begin their campaign in style. Below are the main reasons for Hong Kong defeat:

1. Afghanistan’s powerful batting partnership and record-breaking innings

Afghanistan, after a shaky start, postponed collapse with a match-winning 73* off 52 balls from Sediqullah Atal and a blazing Azmatullah Omarzai, whose fifty came off just 20 balls, a record-fast for Afghanistan in T20Is. Their late-over surge propelled the total to 188/6.

2. Hong Kong’s collapse during the power play and poor execution

In response, Hong Kong collapsed early: they were 23/4 after six overs, losing a number of wickets during the powerplay. The top- and middle-order batsmen formed no partnerships and could not control their required run rate, which soared beyond control.

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3. Disciplined Afghan bowling and sharp fielding pressure

Afghan bowlers Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad, Gulbadin Naib, and Rashid Khan, among others, bowled disciplined, low-scoring spells, which ensured that Hong Kong got no substantial breakthroughs. Two run-outs, with important dropped catches that were recovered, meant Hong Kong never got back into the game at any stage.

Rangpur Riders have shown excellent form in this tournament, winning all their matches and booking their spot in the final of the Global Super League 2025.

On the other hand, Central Stags have secured just one victory and have been eliminated from the tournament.

CS vs RAN Match Details

Date: July 17th, 2025

Time:  7:30 PM IST

Venue: Providence Stadium, Guyana 

Live Streaming: Fancode  

CS vs RAN Weather Report

Clear weather

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Top Batters CS vs RAN

• Kyle Mayers (RAN) - 130 runs in this tournament 

• Tom Bruce (CS) - 97 runs in this tournament 

• Iftikhar Ahmed (CS) - 81 runs in this tournament 

Top Bowler CS vs RAN

• Khaled Ahmed (RAN) - 10 wickets in this tournament 

• Angus Schaw (CS) - 6 wickets in this tournament 

• Blair Tickner (CS) - 5 wickets in this tournament 

CS vs RAN Recent Performance

CS vs RAN Today Match Prediction Scenarios

Scenario 1- If CS bats first

• First Innings score prediction- CS is expected to score 125-130 runs

• Result prediction- RAN will win the match by 6 Wickets.

Scenario 2- If RAN bats first

• First Innings score prediction- RAN is expected to score 155- 160 runs.

• Result prediction- RAN will win the match by 25-30 Runs

CS vs RAN Predicted Playing XI

Rangpur Riders (RAN) Playing XI 

Ibrahim Zadran, Soumya Sarkar, Kyle Mayers, Mahidul Islam Ankon,  Iftikhar Ahmed, Azmatullah Omarzai, Nurul-Hasan, Saif Hassan, Rakibul Hasan, Tabraiz Shamsi, Khaled Ahmed-I.

Central Stags (CS) Playing XI

Will Young, Dane Cleaver (wk), Dean Foxcroft, Tom Bruce (c), Josh Clarkson, William Clark, Jayden Lennox, Matthew Forde, Angus Schaw, Ajaz Patel, Blair Tickner.

CS vs RAN Today Match Prediction, Who Will Win the Match?

Rangpur Riders To win

We predict that Rangpur Riders will be winning this Global Super League T20 match. The likes of Kyle Mayers, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Khaled Ahmed will be key players to watch out for.

Both Rangpur Riders and Hobart Hurricanes had an excellent start to the tournament, both winning their opening matches and currently stand in 2nd and 3rd position on the points table, respectively.

Rangpur Riders beat the Guyana Amazon Warriors by 8 runs, while Hobart Hurricanes defeated Dubai Capital by 7 wickets.

HUR vs RAN Match Details

Date: July 13th, 2025

Time:  7:30 PM IST

Venue: Providence Stadium, Guyana 

Live Streaming: Fancode  

HUR vs RAN Weather Report

Clear weather and a nice evening are expected for the game.

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Top Batters HUR vs RAN

• Macalister Wright (HUR) - 50 runs in this tournament 

• Ben McDermott (HUR) - 48 runs in this tournament 

• Kyle Mayers (RAN) - 44 runs in this tournament 

Top Bowler HUR vs RAM

• Khaled Ahmed (RAN) - 4 wickets in this tournament 

• Fabian Allen (HUR) - 3 wickets in this tournament 

• Mohammad Nabi (HUR) - 3 wickets in this tournament 

HIR vs RAN Recent Performance

HUR vs RAN Today Match Prediction Scenarios

Scenario 1- If HUR bats first

• First Innings score prediction- HUR is expected to score 145-155 runs

• Result prediction- RAN will win the match by 4 Wickets.

Scenario 2- If RAN bats first

• First Innings score prediction- RAN is expected to score 165- 175 runs.

• Result prediction- RAN will win the match by 15-20 Runs

HUR vs RAN Predicted Playing XI

Hobart Hurricanes (HUR) Playing XI 

Ben McDermott (c & wk), Jake Doran, Macalister Wright, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Nikhil Chaudhary, Mohammad Nabi, Fabian Allen, Odean Smith, Jackson Bird, Billy Stanlake, Usama Mir.

Rangpur Riders (RAN) Playing XI

Mahidul Islam Ankon, Soumya Sarkar, Yasir Ali, Saif Hassan, Nurul Hasan (c & wk), Kyle Mayers, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harmeet Singh, Tabraiz Shamsi, Khaled Ahmed.

HUR vs RAN Today Match Prediction, Who Will Win the Match?

Rangpur Riders To win

We predict that Rangpur Riders will be winning this Global Super League T20 match. The likes of Kyle Mayers, Khaled Ahmed, and Iftikhar Ahmed will be key players to watch out for.

The Barbados Royals have officially announced their team for the eagerly awaited CPL 2025 season, signaling the start of an electrifying new chapter for Caribbean cricket. The exclusive show for the official player draft, presented by charismatic Alex Jordan, went out on Wednesday, 18 June, at 10 AM ECT / 3 PM BST / 7:30 PM IST, giving fans a ringside seat to it all. With expert analysis from cricket commentators Daren Ganga and Nikhil Uttamchandani, the broadcast provided a first-hand look at the Royals' mix of seasoned campaigners and promising newcomers.

The Royals have signed three overseas players on a calculated note to add depth to their side: South African wicket-keeper batsman Quinton de Kock, Afghan spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman, and Afghan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai. With the flexibility to add two more international stars before the tournament begins, the franchise is still well placed to tweak their team. The 2025 CPL season will run from 14 August to 21 September, with the tournament commencing in St. Kitts & Nevis, traveling through several Caribbean countries, and concluding with the playoffs and grand final in Guyana.

This season's draft provided a twist in that the last three rounds were allocated to West Indies Breakout League players, guaranteeing each team has at least one up-and-coming player on the field for each game. The Barbados Royals, taking this new movement on board, are poised to provide six weeks of exciting T20 action, mixing flair, muscle, and dynamism as they chase championship victory.

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Barbados Royals Squad for CPL 2025

The 2025 Barbados Royals team consists of Rovman Powell, Brandon King, Sherfane Rutherford, Quinton de Kock, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Azmatullah Omarzai, Jomel Warrican, Kadeem Alleyne, Shaqkere Parris, Kofi James, Nyeem Young, Rivaldo Clarke, Zishan Motara, Johann Layne, and Ramon Simmonds.

Why is Azmatullah Omarzai Not Playing? Mystery Surrounds His Absence

 Kabul, April 1, 2025: In his absence, Omarzai has stirred controversy for his lack of appearances, while cricket aides and fans have had a field day theorizing his head scratching absence. It is still unclear why the omnipresent ACB has not released a statement in regards to Omarzai’s absence when it is clear he played so well throughout the year of 2024.  

Omarzai is expected to be awarded the ICC Men's ODI cricketer of the year after he single handedly and multiple times exceeded brand ROI with his 4.3 million USD magical 2024 global ODI season. On top of his national squad calamitous performances, Omarzai led the offense with two dozen plus fours and a dozen sixes in a match against Ireland and batted South Africa and Bangladesh into submission where he single handily scored 417 runs with a whopping average of 52.12. He also took 17 wickets with his world record ever claiming them at staggering proportion of 14 matches which aided his team to win during magic times. 

Where is the ACB or the fans? The followers are yet to receive any valid reports on the absence and it has been a persisting mystery why. The guesswork behind such takes have resembled that he might be on the sidelines with an injury, but others noting a link does not exist lean to champion Omarzai’s past disciplinary issues. As it looks, ACB is morbidly obscured and hiding Omarzai in turn everybody in riding clad is glued to the thought.

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Azmatullah Omarzai not in playing XI for LSG vs PBKS match

Azmatullah Omarzai is not part of Punjab Kings playing XI as New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson plays his first match of the season. Ferguson had missed Punjab Kings’ match against Gujarat Titans due to a foot injury he sustained during the Pakistan vs New Zealand clash in the 2025 Champions Trophy in February. He has recovered from the injury and thus features in the Punjab Kings playing XI against Lucknow Super Giants.

Another reason for Azmatullah Omarzai’s omission is because Punjab Kings already have plenty of all-rounders in the playing XI. In the current playing XI against Lucknow Super Giants, Punjab Kings have Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Shashank Singh and Suryansh Shedge as their all-rounders. As a result, the Punjab Kings were probably looking to balance between all-rounders, batters and bowlers.

Lucknow Super Giants vs Punjab Kings (LSG vs PBKS) has been scheduled for the 13th match of the IPL 2025 on Tuesday evening (April 1), while Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium (Lucknow) will host it. Let's check the Dream11 top captains and vice-captains of the match. 

IPL 2025, Match 13: LSG vs PBKS Probable XIs