Sediqullah Atal Scores Maiden ODI Century, Proving His Worth After IPL Auction Miss

Left-handed batsman Sediqullah Atal hit his first ODI century as Afghanistan locked horns with Zimbabwe in the second game of their three-match series on Thursday, December 19, at Harare Sports Club. Atal, who carried a base price of Rs 75 lakhs at the IPL 2025 auction held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, remained unsold last month.

However, he did his class with the bat by scoring 104 runs off 128 balls, with eight fours and four sixes. His knock took Afghanistan to a good total of 286 for five in 50 overs. The knock shows that Atal can be a great performer and not just a flash in the pan.

The moment When sediqullah atal Completed his century.🔥🫡pic.twitter.com/E5uJU82JUD

— ACB Xtra (@acb_190) December 19, 2024

Sediqullah Atal Continues Impressive Form in Afghanistan's Batting Lineup

After Afghanistan elected to bat first, Sediqullah Atal added solidity to the opening partnership alongside Abdul Malik, accumulating 191 runs off 35 overs. The stand was ended when Newman Nyamhuri sent back Malik but Atal continued on and was eventually dismissed by Nyamhuri in the 43rd over, his third.
Atal was on the front pages in July 2023 when, playing for Shaheen Hunters in the Kabul Premier League, he smashed seven sixes in an over against Amir Zazai, who suffered 4-0-79-1 at an economy rate of 19.75. He had conceded 48 runs in the over; Atal was unbeaten on 118 off 56 balls with 7 fours and 10 sixes
Recently, Atal was the highest run-getter in the Men's Emerging Asia Cup in Oman, where Afghanistan won the title. He scored 368 runs in five matches with an average of 122.66 and a strike rate of 147.79. In five ODIs and nine T20Is, Atal has scored 274 runs with an average of 21.07.