Afghanistan began their Asia Cup 2025 campaign on a dominant note as they hammered Hong Kong by 94 runs in their Group B fixture at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Tuesday. Riding on blistering knocks from Sediqullah Atal and Azmatullah Omarzai, the Afghans set up a commanding total before their bowlers dismantled Hong Kong’s batting order with precision.
Sediqullah Atal and Azmatullah Omarzai power Afghanistan to a commanding total
After winning the toss and opting to bat, Afghanistan got off to a shaky start with Rahmanullah Gurbaz (8) and Ibrahim Zadran (1) departing early. However, opener Sediqullah Atal anchored the innings with a composed 73 off 52 deliveries, striking six boundaries and three sixes. His calculated approach ensured that Afghanistan had stability even as wickets fell at the other end.
The real momentum shift came when Azmatullah Omarzai walked in. The all-rounder played a breathtaking knock of 53 off just 21 balls, laced with two fours and five towering sixes. His late onslaught took Afghanistan’s total well beyond par. Veteran Mohammad Nabi also chipped in with a crucial 33 off 26, guiding the side to a competitive 188/6 in their 20 overs.
On the bowling front for Hong Kong, Kinchit Shah (2/24) and Ayush Shukla (2/54) were among the wickets, though they struggled to contain the Afghan batters in the death overs. Ehsan Khan bowled economically, conceding just 28 runs in his spell of four overs while picking up a wicket.
Hong Kong’s batting collapse
Chasing 189 for victory, Hong Kong never looked in control of the game. They suffered an early setback as skipper Anshuman Rath was dismissed for a golden duck, followed immediately by the run-out of Nizakat Khan without facing a ball. The top order collapsed under pressure, and only Babar Hayat showed some resistance with a fighting 39 off 43 deliveries, which included three sixes but no boundaries.
Yasim Murtaza tried to build partnerships with a gritty 16 off 26, but the lack of support from the other end made the chase unrealistic. None of the Hong Kong batters managed to cross 20 runs apart from Hayat and Murtaza, as they limped to 94/9 in their allotted 20 overs.
Also WATCH: Asia Cup 2025 – Anshuman Rath falls to Fazalhaq Farooqi after brain fade moment in AFG vs HK clash
Afghan bowlers seal the deal
Afghanistan’s bowling unit was clinical in execution. Fazalhaq Farooqi led the charge with figures of 2/16 from his three overs, while Gulbadin Naib matched his intensity with 2/8 in a miserly spell. Omarzai contributed with the ball too, picking up a wicket for just four runs in two overs.
Spin duo Rashid Khan (1/24) and Noor Ahmad (1/16) ensured there was no escape route for Hong Kong in the middle overs, strangling their scoring opportunities. The Afghan bowlers collectively showcased depth and variety, proving too good for Hong Kong’s inexperienced batting order.
Afghanistan register a dominating win over Hong Kong 🔥💪#AFGvHK #AsiaCup
Scorecard 👉 https://t.co/FzyGiU6dCj pic.twitter.com/lmO4KMtJpR— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) September 9, 2025
Also WATCH: Rahmanullah Gurbaz falls to Ayush Shukla right after hitting him for a huge six