Asia Cup 2025: Afghanistan vs Hong Kong Highlights & Result – Match 1

Published - 10 Sept 2025, 00:18 IST | Updated - 10 Sept 2025, 00:28 IST

Afghanistan won their opening match of the Asia Cup 2025 at Abu Dhabi on September 9, defeating Hong Kong by 94 runs. Winning the toss, Afghanistan opted to bat first and got off to a quick start in the first over. However, early wickets fell as Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed in the third over, followed shortly by Ibrahimullah Zadran, as the Afghans seemed to be reeling inside the powerplay itself.

The opener Sediqullah Atal held firm at one end, thriving on the pitch alongside Mohammad Nabi at the other. Nabi, the most experienced player from the side, was unfortunately dismissed by Kinchit Shah on his first ball. Despite the regular fall of wickets, Atal anchored the innings and brought up his third T20I half-century in brilliant fashion.

In the closing overs, with pace returning, Azmatullah Omarzai played aggressively, smashing the bowlers and registering his maiden T20I fifty. Afghanistan finished their innings at a competitive 188 for 6, with Atal unbeaten on 73 and Omarzai contributing 53. Hong Kong’s chase got off to a shaky start as Anshuman Rath was dismissed for a duck. A missed edge review cost Hong Kong dearly, and Omarzai contributed with the ball as well, picking up a wicket in his first over. The team continued to struggle in the powerplay, suffering two run-outs and finding themselves in deep trouble at 23 for 4.

Babar Hayat tried to anchor the innings, scoring 39, but wickets continued to fall at the other end. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Gulbadin Naib picked up two wickets each to tighten Afghanistan’s grip on the match. In the end, Afghanistan secured a comprehensive victory in their first match of the continental tournament. They will face Bangladesh on September 16, while Hong Kong will regroup ahead of their clash against Bangladesh on September 11.

Atal brought up his third T20I half-century against Hong Kong. After a steady start, he reached his fifty and guided the team to a competitive total. Atal remained unbeaten on 73 off 52 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes in the process, as the Rashid Khan led-side managed to set a mammoth 189-run target for the Yasim Murtaza-led side.

Azmatullah Omarzai brought up his maiden T20I fifty in record time, reaching the milestone in just 20 balls. This also stands as the fastest fifty by an Afghanistan batter in the shortest format of the game. In contrast to Atal’s composed innings, Omarzai attacked the Hong Kong bowlers from the start, clearing the boundary at will. He finished with 53 runs off 21 balls, including two fours and five huge sixes in his well-compiled innings.

Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmad bowled an economical spell, picking up a wicket while keeping the flow of runs in check as well. He dismissed Kinchit Shah, with Karim Janat completing a running catch to his right. Noor finished with impressive figures of 1 for 16 from his four overs against Hong Kong.