Afghanistan ignited the Asia Cup 2025 with a commanding 94-run thrashing of Hong Kong, setting Sheikh Zayed Stadium alight with explosive batting and clinical bowling in the Group B opener. This article breaks down the match with detailed player stats, innings summaries, key moments, and series context, sourced from verified outlets. Powered by Sediqullah Atal’s resilient 73* and Azmatullah Omarzai’s record-breaking 20-ball fifty, Afghanistan posted 188/6, which their bowlers defended ruthlessly against a faltering Hong Kong side. Below, we dissect the action.
Match Overview
- Sport: Cricket
- League: Asia Cup 2025 (T20 Format)
- Matchup: Afghanistan vs Hong Kong Match Player Stats
- Match Covered: 1st Match, Group B — September 9, 2025
- Result: Afghanistan won by 94 runs (Afghanistan 188/6; Hong Kong 94/9 in 20 overs)
- Venue & Date: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi — September 9, 2025
- Toss: Afghanistan won and elected to bat
- Match Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
- Attendance: ~15,000
Afghanistan’s decision to bat first paid dividends despite early wobbles, as their middle and lower order capitalized on Hong Kong’s fielding lapses—eight dropped catches, tying a T20I record since 2020 (per ESPNcricinfo). Hong Kong’s batting crumbled under pressure, marking Afghanistan’s third-largest T20 Asia Cup win.
Afghanistan Innings: 188/6 (20 overs)
Innings Summary
On a slow Abu Dhabi pitch with 3.5mm grass favoring spin (average 1st innings score ~173 in 2025 T20Is), Afghanistan stumbled to 26/2 early. Sediqullah Atal, dropped three times, anchored with an unbeaten 73, while Azmatullah Omarzai’s 53 off 20 balls—the fastest T20I fifty for Afghanistan—ignited a late surge.
Hong Kong’s spinners briefly contained the scoring, conceding just 29 runs in overs 10-14, but a chaotic final four overs bled 60 runs, with Omarzai’s three sixes off Ayush Shukla’s 19th over proving decisive.
Key Afghanistan Batters
| Player | Runs (Balls) | SR | Key Moments |
| Sediqullah Atal | 73* (52) | 140.38 | Survived drops at 4, 46, 51; highest T20I score |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 53 (20) | 265.00 | Fastest AFG T20I fifty; 24 runs in 19th over |
| Mohammad Nabi | 18 (16) | 112.50 | Steady rebuild with Atal |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK) | 12 (7) | 171.43 | Quick start, early fall |
| Gulbadin Naib | 10 (8) | 125.00 | Late cameo cut short |
Hong Kong Bowling Figures
- Kinchit Shah (Spinner): 4-0-24-2, Econ 6.00, 2 wkts (Nabi, Naib). Tight middle overs; struck post-drinks.
- Ehsan Khan (Spinner): 4-0-28-1, Econ 7.00, 1 wkt (Zadran). Dropped Atal at 51.
- Ayush Shukla (Pacer): 4-0-50-0, Econ 12.50. Hammered for 24 in 19th.
- Yasim Murtaza (Captain, Spinner): 4-0-35-0, Econ 8.75. Dropped Atal twice.
- Aizaz Khan (Pacer): 2-0-20-1, Econ 10.00, 1 wkt (Gurbaz). Early scalp.
Key Moments (Afghanistan Innings)
| Over | Bowler/Side | Key Events & Runs |
| 1-2 | Pace (Aizaz, Shukla) | Gurbaz out (25/1, 2.2 ov); Zadran lbw (26/2, 3.2 ov). 26/2 in powerplay. |
| 7-10 | Spin (Murtaza, Shah) | Nabi rebuilds; Shah dismisses Nabi (77/3, 10.1 ov). 29 runs. |
| 11-14 | Spin choke | Atal dropped twice; Gulbadin out (95/4, 12.6 ov). 29 runs. |
| 15-16 | Pace return | Atal’s third drop; 119/4 at 16 ov. 24 runs. |
| 17-20 | Death overs | Omarzai’s 53; three sixes in 19th. 60 runs, 2 wkts. |
Hong Kong Innings: 94/9 (20 overs)
Innings Summary
Chasing 189 on a slowing pitch was always a tall order, and Hong Kong imploded to 22/4 in the powerplay. Babar Hayat’s gritty 39, including three sixes, offered brief resistance, but no other batter reached double digits. Afghanistan’s seven bowlers shared wickets, with Gulbadin Naib’s 2/8 in 4 overs the standout. Hong Kong’s eight dropped catches compounded their woes, tying a T20I record for fielding lapses since 2020.
Key Hong Kong Batters
| Player | Runs (Balls) | SR | Key Moments |
| Babar Hayat | 39 (43) | 90.70 | Three sixes; lone resistance |
| Kinchit Shah | 9 (12) | 75.00 | Brief fight, fell to Rashid |
| Yasim Murtaza | 8 (15) | 53.33 | Captain’s lbw via review |
| Zeeshan Ali (WK) | 5 (10) | 50.00 | Early dismissal |
| Anshuman Rath | 0 (2) | 0.00 | Run-out in first over |
Afghanistan Bowling Figures
- Gulbadin Naib (All-rounder): 4-1-8-2, Econ 2.00, 2 wkts (Hayat, Aizaz). Maiden over; match-defining spell.
- Fazalhaq Farooqi (Pacer): 4-0-16-2, Econ 4.00, 2 wkts (Rath, Ehsan). Early damage with yorkers.
- Rashid Khan (Captain, Spinner): 4-0-15-1, Econ 3.75, 1 wkt (Shah). Dots piled pressure.
- Noor Ahmad (Spinner): 4-0-22-1, Econ 5.50, 1 wkt (Zeeshan). Deceived with googlies.
- Azmatullah Omarzai (All-rounder): 2-0-12-1, Econ 6.00, 1 wkt (Nizakat). Quick impact.
Key Moments (Hong Kong Innings)
| Over | Bowler/Side | Key Events & Runs |
| 1 | Farooqi (Pace) | Rath run-out (1/1, 0.2 ov). 1 run. |
| 2-5 | Mixed pace | Zeeshan out (12/2, 1.6 ov); Nizakat bowled (13/3, 2.2 ov); Challu caught (22/4, 4.3 ov). 22/4. |
| 6-9 | Spin (Rashid, Noor) | Shah out (43/5, 9.5 ov). 21 runs. |
| 10-15 | Seam/spin | Hayat’s sixes; Murtaza lbw (63/6, 12.5 ov). 30 runs. |
| 16-20 | All-round attack | Aizaz out (78/7, 16.2 ov); Ehsan caught (93/9, 19.2 ov). 16 runs, 3 wkts. |
Head-to-Head Analysis
Afghanistan hold a commanding 10-1 T20I record over Hong Kong, with this 94-run rout—the third-largest margin in Men’s T20 Asia Cup history—further cementing their dominance. Afghanistan’s 9.40 run rate dwarfed Hong Kong’s 4.70, with the latter’s eight dropped catches proving costly. This win sets the tone for Afghanistan’s Group B campaign, signaling their intent to challenge heavyweights like Bangladesh.
Afghanistan’s Strengths:
- Batting recovery from 26/2 to 188/6.
- Seven bowlers shared wickets; Econ 4.70.
Hong Kong’s Strengths:
- Mid-overs spin choke (29 runs in 5 overs).
- Hayat’s gritty 39 with three sixes.
Match Standouts
Afghanistan
- Azmatullah Omarzai: 53 & 1/12, Player of the Match. Fastest T20I fifty; all-round brilliance.
- Sediqullah Atal: 73*, SR 140.38. Survived three drops; career-best T20I score.
- Gulbadin Naib: 2/8, Econ 2.00. Maiden over; sealed bowling dominance.
Hong Kong
- Babar Hayat: 39 off 43, SR 90.70. Lone batter with fight; three sixes.
- Kinchit Shah: 2/24 & 9. Mumbai-born; key wickets in middle overs.
- Yasim Murtaza: 8 as captain; struggled after two drops.
Series Context
Afghanistan (1-0, Top of Group B)
Under Rashid Khan, Afghanistan overcame travel logistics (Dubai to Abu Dhabi) to deliver a statement win. Their depth—Atal’s emergence and Omarzai’s all-round form—sets them up well for Bangladesh (Sep 16).
Hong Kong (0-1, Bottom of Group B)
Yasim Murtaza’s qualifiers heroes faltered, with 27 T20Is in 2025 no match for Afghanistan’s execution. Next up: Sri Lanka (Sep 13). Priority: Sharpen batting and fielding.
Injury and Roster Notes
Afghanistan: Full strength; Naib fully recovered from calf strain. Rashid fit post-break.
Hong Kong: No reported injuries; unchanged XI from qualifiers.
Conclusion
Afghanistan demolished Hong Kong by 94 runs in the Asia Cup 2025 opener (AFG 188/6; HKG 94/9), with Atal’s gritty 73*, Omarzai’s record-setting 53, and Naib’s miserly 2/8 overwhelming a fielding-fragile Hong Kong. This rout signals Afghanistan’s Group B ambitions while exposing Hong Kong’s gaps. For full scorecards and highlights, visit ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, Hindustan Times, or NDTV Sports.
