MOHALI, India — Azmatullah Omarzai, the rising Afghanistan star now donning the Punjab Kings jersey in the Indian Premier League, says he wants to be recognized not just as an all-rounder, but as a genuine fast bowler — and he’s determined to make this season count.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Punjab’s first home game of IPL 2025 against the Lucknow Super Giants, Omarzai acknowledged a rocky start — he conceded 29 runs in two overs without a wicket in his debut match for the franchise against his former team, Gujarat Titans. But the 25-year-old emphasized that his goal is not simply to contribute here and there — he wants to be a fixture in the pace attack.
“I don’t want to play as an all-rounder or a medium pacer,” Omarzai said. “I want to be seen as a proper fast bowler. The team should feel that they are playing me in that role. I’m working on my pace and especially on death bowling, which is an area where Afghanistan has struggled.”
Omarzai has enjoyed a breakout year on the international stage, impressing in both the ICC Champions Trophy and the T20 World Cup. His ability to swing the ball and finish games with the bat has made him a prized asset, and Punjab Kings were quick to bring him into their fold for the 2025 season.
He joins a pace unit that includes India’s Arshdeep Singh and South Africa’s Marco Jansen. While his role is expected to center around the middle overs, Omarzai is eyeing the high-pressure death overs — a responsibility he says he’s eager to shoulder.
“I want to be at the top,” he said. “Not just in one format, but across formats. I want to be the best player for Afghanistan.”
The Punjab Kings will be hoping Omarzai finds his rhythm quickly as they look to build momentum in the early weeks of the tournament. For the Afghan pacer, Monday’s match at home in Mohali offers the chance to reset and begin writing a new chapter in a league where reputations are made — and remade — under lights.
