Dominant Afghanistan Routs Hong Kong in Asia Cup 2025 Opener

ABU DHABI: The Asia Cup 2025 was announced with an overwhelming 94-run defeat of Hong Kong in the opener of the series of matches at Zayed Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. The victory was earned courtesy of half-centuries by Sediqullah Atal and Azmatullah Omarzai, and a collective bowling effort, which left Hong Kong in disarray during the match.

Afghanistan’s Innings

Afghanistan, which was batting first, began facing early reverses when Rahmanullah Gurbaz (8) and Ibrahim Zadran (1) were dismissed early in the match, leaving the scoreboard at 26-2 in the fourth over. When Mohammad Nabi came to join Atal, the pressure had been removed by stabilizing the innings. Nabi struck a composed knock of 33 out of 26 balls before collapsing, but his association with Atal provided crucial momentum at a vital stage.

From there, the innings belonged to Atal and Omarzai. Atal held on at one end with an unbeaten 73 on 52 deliveries with 6 fours and 3 sixes. Meanwhile, Omarzai opened a scathing retaliatory salvo, beating 53 out of only 21 balls, with five sixes and two fours. Their 85-run stand made the Afghanistan team carry the day. Afghanistan ended well at 188/6 in their 20 overs despite some of their late wicket defeats.

For Hong Kong, Ayush Shukla and Kinchit Shah managed to pick up two wickets each but failed to halt the Afghan charge.

Hong Kong’s Struggle in the Chase

Chasing 189, Hong Kong’s batting faltered from the outset. Anshy Rath was dismissed without scoring, and Zeeshan Ali fell soon after for 5. Quick run outs of Nizakat Khan and Kalhan Challu left them reeling at 22-4 inside five overs.

Babar Hayat was the lone resistance, striking 39 off 43 balls, including three sixes. However, the lack of support around him meant Hong Kong never recovered. The innings eventually closed at 94/9, falling well short of the target.

Afghanistan’s Bowling Brilliance

Bowlers in Afghanistan gave a joint masterclass. In each of the two wickets, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Gulbadin Naib took the lead, and Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and Omarzai made important contributions. Their strictness made Hong Kong never feel the beat to pursue the steep aggregate.

A Strong Start

Not only did the emphatic win benefit Afghanistan with two critical points, but it also set the tone for the Asia Cup 2025 campaign. With batters shaped like figures and bowlers firing like a team, Afghanistan's opening performance was an ideal combination of aggression and restraint.