Punjab Kings marked a sombre moment in their Indian Premier League 2026 match against Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday, with the entire side wearing black armbands as a tribute to the late mother of teammate Azmatullah Omarzai. The gesture came after news of the Afghanistan all-rounder’s personal loss surfaced earlier this week, and it reflected the close-knit support system within the franchise.
Omarzai is yet to take the field in the ongoing season, but he remains part of Punjab’s playing group. His absence from match action did not stop the squad from acknowledging the grief surrounding him, with the armband tradition used across the XI to honour the departed.
Tribute at the toss and messages from teammates
Punjab captain Shreyas Iyer voiced the team’s condolences when the match began at the toss, explaining why the players chose to wear black armbands.
“On behalf of the whole team, I just want to share our heartfelt condolences to Azmat and his family for his loss. I’m sure we are there to support him through thick and thin,” Iyer said.
The captain’s remarks underscored the unity behind the tribute. Players across the batting and bowling groups maintained the mourning symbol throughout the contest, following a longstanding sporting custom of showing respect in moments of bereavement.
Support also arrived from within Afghanistan’s cricket community. Mohammad Nabi and Karim Janat, both fellow Afghanistan internationals, sent messages of sympathy to Omarzai and his family, offering prayers and strength during a difficult time.
Punjab’s high-scoring reply despite the emotional backdrop
With the match carrying an emotional weight, Punjab still delivered a commanding batting display. They finished their 20 overs on 222/4, a total built through early acceleration and then a decisive surge at the end.
- Rajasthan’s pace attack struggled at times with their lengths and lines, allowing Punjab’s openers to get off to a quick start.
- Jofra Archer tested the batters with pace and bounce, but the hosts managed to keep the scoring moving.
- Punjab’s momentum strengthened as the innings progressed, with a sharp late cameo helping them reach a dominant platform.
- In the final phase, Punjab turned the screw decisively, smashing 55 runs in the last three overs to firmly swing the match in their favour.
Azmatullah Omarzai, 25, is considered a promising all-rounder and has previously played for Gujarat Titans before moving to Punjab. Over his IPL career, he has contributed as both a batter and a bowler, and remains an important part of the franchise setup.
