Afghanistan Creates History, Breaks India’s World Record As They Post 221 From 5-4 In Miraculous Effort

The 2024 T20 World Cup semi-finalist found themselves in a spot of bother after being reduced to 5-4 and 38-5 at one stage, but put up an unprecedented recovery.

Azmatullah Omarzai was the star of the show for the Asian nation as he walked out to bat at number six and scored his maiden T20I century. The star all-rounder made 116 runs in just 50 balls in a knock that included five boundaries and 12 maximums. Ijaj Ahmed (52 of 27) gave him able support before Rashid Khan (25 off 6) ensured a strong finish.

Afghanistan Creates History

As a result, Afghanistan has become the first-ever team in T20I history (Full member or associate) to post 200 runs in a T20I innings. The record was previously held by India and, ironically, was set against Afghanistan at Bengaluru in 2024 when Rohit Sharma scored his 5th T20I century while putting a 190-run partnership with Rinku Singh, who made 69 runs

Most Runs After A Team Lost 4th T20I Wicket In T20Is

In fact, Afghanistan’s tally of 216 runs is also the highest in any form of professional T20 cricket around the world after a team lost their fourth wicket. Only two teams (Jamaica Tallawahs and Wellington) have previously managed to breach the 200-run mark in the format from this stage of an innings.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan managed to make 183 runs after losing their fifth wicket, which is also a world record in T20Is for a team after losing half their side. Among Test-playing nations, no team has ever managed to score 150 runs before. West Indies held the record among full-member countries before.

Most Runs In A T20I Innings By A Team After Losing 5th Wicket

Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s tally is the third-highest in T20 cricket after a team lost its fifth wicket. It is only two short of Wellington’s record (185 vs Central Districts in 2022) and one behind Jamaica (184 runs vs Trinbago Knight Riders in 2018)