ABU DHABI: Afghanistan put on a dominant batting display in their opening match of the Asia Cup 2025, posting a formidable total of 188 against Hong Kong, China at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Tuesday night.
The highlight of the innings was an explosive 53 off just 21 balls by Azmatullah Omarzai, whose late-innings blitz, featuring five sixes, helped Afghanistan accelerate after a cautious middle phase. His strike rate of 252.38 turned the momentum firmly in Afghanistan’s favour.
Earlier, Sediqullah Atal anchored the innings with an unbeaten 73 off 52 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes in a well-paced knock that held the innings together after early setbacks.
Early Wobbles, Middle-Order Firepower
Afghanistan lost openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (8) and Ibrahim Zadran (1) within the powerplay, leaving them at 26/2 by the fourth over.
Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi tried to rebuild with a run-a-ball 33, but fell attempting a big shot in the 11th over.
Gulbadin Naib (5) followed shortly after in similar fashion, miscuing a shot off Kinchit Shah, who impressed with the ball by claiming 2 wickets for 24 runs in his 3 overs.
Atal and Omarzai then stitched together a quickfire partnership, hammering the Hong Kong bowlers to all parts of the ground.
Omarzai’s onslaught, including two fours and five sixes, brought the crowd to life before he departed in the 19th over, caught by Aizaz Khan off Ayush Shukla.
Ayush Shukla was the most successful bowler for Hong Kong, picking up 2 wickets but conceding 54 runs in his 4 overs.
Ehsan Khan was the most economical, finishing with 1/28, while Yasim Murtaza impressed with his control, giving away just 23 runs in 4 overs despite going wicketless.
Hong Kong’s bowlers struggled with consistency, conceding 9 wides and leaking boundaries at crucial moments.
Afghanistan has set a stiff target of 189 for Hong Kong, who will need a solid start and fearless batting to chase down the total under the lights in Abu Dhabi.
Afghanistan Playing XI
Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (c), Noor Ahmad, AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Hong Kong Playing XI
Anshy Rath, Zeeshan Ali, Babar Hayat, Kalhan Challu, Nizakat Khan, Aizaz Khan, Kinchit Shah, Yasim Murtaza, Ayush Shukla, Ateeq Iqbal, Ehsan Khan
