Afghanistan crushed Hong Kong by 94 runs in the Asia Cup 2025 opener, with Omarzai’s record 20-ball fifty, Atal’s unbeaten 73, and a ruthless bowling attack sealing a dominant win.
Afghanistan has gotten off to a fantastic Asia Cup 2025, beating Hong Kong by 94 runs in the first match of the tournament in the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi. It was an all round performance, strong batting, crisp bowling and, above all, well-drilled fielding, that conveyed a strong signal to the rest of the tournament.
The batting highlights at Afghanistan.
The innings began shakily. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was killed early and Ibrahim Zadran also bowed out leaving Afghanistan at 15/2. Hong Kong thought it might come along, but opener Sediqullah Atal fought back. Dropped three times, he was able to get the best of his opportunities and walked away having finished unbeaten on 73 off 52 balls to keep the scoreboard rolling.
This was reversed when Mohammad Nabi came in with a swift 33. The actual pyrotechnics were made by Azmatullah Omarzai who broke 53 off on only 21 balls. He had taken just 20 balls to get to his half-century – the quickest T20I fifty in the history of Afghanistan cricket – and he took the ground alight.
The 188/6 that Afghanistan recorded by the close of the 20 overs was imposing and Hong Kong was never going to achieve it.
Hong Kong’s chase
The response fraper fell asunder. Anshuman Rath became a victim of a golden duck and then a run out by skipper Nizakat Khan who did not even see a ball. Hong Kong were soon tumbling at 20/4 in the powerplay.
Babar Hayat made a spirited effort, with a gritty 39 out of 43 balls, with three sixes one of them a mammoth 93-metre. But without any actual stand on the other side, he did not offer a resistance when he holed out to Atal.
The Afghan bowlers continued to chip at it – Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Gulbadin Naib and Fazalhaq Farooqi fell on top. Other than 16 and 94/9, no Hong Kong batter attained double-digit figures as they trudged to 94/9 in 20 overs.
A complete Afghan show
The win of Afghanistan was constructed on the consistent pounding of Atal, Omarzai who smashed evasions and the merciless execution of bowlers. Their 94-run victory did not only provide them with a flying start, but also increased their net run rate in Group B.
To Hong Kong it was a night of lost fishes, bad running and lost chances. For Afghanistan, it was proof that their mix of youth and experience could make them one of the most dangerous teams in the Asia Cup 2025.
Rashid Khan: Was a great game. Good to put total on the board. Wickets early on is the key for us. We had the same issue in the last series. That’s one area we need to improve. Batting in the death overs was a great effort. Specially, Omarzai. We have good spinners. It puts pressure on the opposition. When you put runs on the board, batters will take risks and we have a chance to pick wickets. We will try to have a good record while chasing as well. Tough ask to see what is the playing XI. To keep Mujeeb out, it was a tough call. You sometimes look for combinations. The good thing is I have options and that makes it easier for me.
Yasim Murtaza: Just feels like dream come true (On playing the Asia Cup). It is one of the biggest tournament of Asia. To be honest, we weren’t expecting that kind of total. I was expecting 150. Credit to Omarzai, he changed the game. Babar Hayat with the bat and the spinners were positives from the game.
Azmatullah Omarzai, Player of the Match: Very tough batting in the lower order. It is all about belief. The captain and coach have belief in me. Was trying to hit it straight. We lost early wickets. I was speaking to Atal that we will go for boundaries after the 16th over. When I get the ball, I feel am a proper bowler. When I get to bat, I feel am a proper batter (smiles).
