'He is going to get an IPL contract': Former India opener names AFG player who could get IPL call-up

The ICC ODI World Cup 2023 will be remembered as the tournament when the emerging Asian cricketing power, Afghanistan, came out from the shadows of being neglected as mere minnows to cause havoc in the competition. The team contended for the semi-final spot and if not for Glenn Maxwell's exceptional innings, Afghanistan might have reached the top 4, vying for the final as well. Overall it was a team effort, where some consistent performances guided their ship and kept them in the hunt.

3 things you need to know

• Afghanistan lost to South Africa by 5 wickets in match number 42 of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023
• Azmatullah Omarzai scored a well-compiled 97* in the match
• Afghanistan won 4 matches in the entire competition

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Azmatullah Omarzai stood up for Afghanistan

One of the consistent performers, who stepped up for Afghanistan in the World Cup 2023 has been Azmatullah Omarzai. The 23-year-old has been rock solid for his side and gave the team much-needed confidence in the middle order. On Friday, the batter faced a difficult situation when wickets were tumbling at the other end. However, he kept on going and in the end remained short by 3 runs of a well-deserved century. He left unbeaten on 97. Omarzai's spectacular batting took the team to a respectable total of 244 runs. While on the day the target did not prove to be enough, Omarzai's innings did not go unacknowledged.

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Aakash Chopra showers praise on Omarzai

According to cricketer turned expert, Aakash Chopra, Omarzai's performance will have garnered the attention of IPL franchises and he will likely receive a bid in the upcoming auctions. 

"I feel he is going to get an IPL contract. The auction is on December 19 and I feel someone or the other will pick him. The Lucknow franchise has traded Romario Shepherd with Mumbai (Indians), so a place is vacant there. He possesses an envious skillset."

"He does decent fast bowling, bats decently, and is a T20 journeyman as well. He plays in T20 leagues across the world. So he brings a fair amount of experience. He deserved a century yesterday, but he couldn't score that. These things may happen but he is a very good player."