T20I Asia Cup: Afghanistan crush Hong Kong by 94 runs in opener

Afghanistan clinched a thumping 94-run victory over Hong Kong in the opening clash of the T20I Asia Cup 2025 at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium.

The emphatic win gave Afghanistan not only two crucial points but also a strong statement of intent that they are serious contenders for the regional crown.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Afghanistan posted an imposing total of 188 for four in their allotted 20 overs.

In reply, Hong Kong’s batting lineup crumbled under relentless Afghan pressure.

Only Babar Hayat offered resistance with a fighting 39, but he found no support from the other end as no other batsman managed to cross double figures.

Hong Kong limped to 94 for nine in their 20 overs, falling well short of the target.

Afghanistan’s bowlers shared the spoils, with Gulbadin Naib and Fazalhaq Farooqi picking up two wickets each.

Omarzai, Rashid Khan, and Noor Ahmad chipped in with one wicket apiece to complete a clinical team performance.

 After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Afghanistan piled up 188 runs for the loss of just four wickets in their allotted 20 overs.

Opener Sediqullah Atal anchored the innings with a superb unbeaten knock of 73 runs from 52 balls.

All-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai supported him with a blistering innings of 53 runs off just 21 deliveries.

Earlier, Afghanistan started cautiously in the powerplay, but momentum shifted in the middle overs as the batters began scoring freely.

The partnership between Atal and Omarzai proved decisive, as the pair added 50 runs off just 25 balls for the fifth wicket, propelling the team to a challenging total.

Contributions also came from veteran Mohammad Nabi, who chipped in with 33 runs.

For Hong Kong, Ayush Shukla claimed two wickets but conceded 54 runs in his four overs, while Kinchit Shah and Ehsan Khan managed one wicket apiece.

Afghanistan:

Afghanistan come into the Asia Cup after a defeat against Pakistan in the UAE T20I Tri-Series final on Sunday. 

The team, under Rashid Khan, will aim to begin their campaign on a positive note.

The Afghan Atalan have made one previous appearance in a T20I Asia Cup, coming in 2022, where they were eliminated in the Super Four stages, with two wins and three losses so far in their Asia Cup history.

They will be ecstatic, going into this tournament, with Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran having found form, lowering the reliance they have often had on Rahmanullah Gurbaz in this format, while their extreme spin quartet remains as dangerous as ever with AM Ghazanfar, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and Mujeeb Zadran.

Hong Kong:

Just like Afghanistan, Hong Kong have managed one previous appearance, which came in 2022, where they failed to get out of the group stage, having lost both their games.

A team that will be quietly confident about their chance, with Anshuman Rath their leading run-scorer this year and he has been in good form alongside Zeeshan Ali, while Ayush Shukla, Yasim Murtuza, and Anas Khan have been great with the ball.

Playing XI

Afghanistan XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (capt), Noor Ahmad, AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Hong Kong XI: Zeeshan Ali (wk), Babar Hayat, Anshuman Rath, Kalhan Challu, Nizakat Khan, Aizaz Khan, Kinchit Shah, Yasim Murtaza (capt), Ayush Shukla, Ateeq Iqbal, Ehsan Khan