ABU DHABI: Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan won the toss and elected to bat first against Hong Kong in the opening match of the Asia Cup 2025 at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, marking the start of a tournament expected to deliver high-intensity contests across Asia.
East Meets West in the Festival of Cricket
This year’s edition marks a significant expansion, with eight teams competing, up from six in previous years, and all in the fast-paced T20I format, aligning with preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup scheduled to be hosted across India and Sri Lanka.
Due to geopolitical tensions with Pakistan, the entire event has been shifted to the UAE, which has become a cricketing hub for many Asian nations.
Group B, dubbed the ‘group of death,’ features Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong, China.
Every match in this group could prove pivotal, with teams battling not just for wins but for survival in the tournament.
Afghanistan: From Underdog to Contender
Once considered a cricketing underdog, Afghanistan has evolved into a formidable force, driven by resilience and a talented squad.
Coming into the tournament after a disappointing run in the Tri-Series final, where they were bowled out for just 66, they are eager to bounce back.
Under Rashid Khan’s captaincy, the team has sharpened its skills, especially in spin, leveraging a potent cartel that includes Rashid, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad, and newcomer AM Ghazanfar.
Their bowling attack is complemented by pace options like Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq, making Afghanistan’s bowling unit one of the strongest in the tournament.
However, their batting remains a work in progress. Ibrahim Zadran’s return to form, Sediqullah Atal’s consistency, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s explosive power give the team hope.
Veteran Nabi and Karim Janat add depth, but the team aims to convert potential into consistent performances. Afghanistan’s semi-final run in the 2024 T20 World Cup has set high expectations, and this tournament offers a chance to claim their first major title.
Hong Kong: Dreaming Big
For Hong Kong, China, the journey is about belief and breaking barriers. Returning for their fifth Asia Cup and second in the T20I format, they are still hunting for their first victory in the tournament.
Their recent rise was fuelled by a strong showing in the ACC Men’s Premier Cup, where they finished among the top three Associate Nations.
Led by captain Yasim Murtaza and coached by former Sri Lankan cricketer Kaushal Silva, Hong Kong’s squad boasts experienced players like Anshy Rath, who averages over 50 in T20Is this year, and Babar Hayat, who has scored an Asia Cup century.
Nizakat Khan and Zeeshan Ali add firepower at the top, while their bowling attack features off-spinner Ehsan Khan and 22-year-old pacer Ayush Shukla, who set a record by bowling four maidens in a T20I last year.
Despite limited exposure against top-tier teams, Hong Kong’s disciplined approach and spin prowess could challenge Afghanistan’s middle order, especially on the UAE’s slow tracks.
Conditions and Match Dynamics
Recent UAE Tri-Series matches have shown a tendency for teams batting first to dominate, with totals over 170 often proving challenging to chase.
Abu Dhabi pitch like Sharjah also offer spin-friendly conditions, and the toss is expected to be crucial. Due to the UAE’s daytime heat, the match will start at 7:30 pm PST.
Head-to-Head and Tournament Format
The teams last met in the 2016 T20 World Cup, where Afghanistan emerged victorious, but Hong Kong gained a narrow win in an ODI fixture in 2018.
The tournament structure features two groups—A and B—leading into a ‘Super 4’ stage, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the final scheduled for September 28.
Outlook and Expectations
While Afghanistan entres as favourites, buoyed by their home-away-from-home environment and deep squad, Hong Kong is eager to make history, aiming to upset the odds with their disciplined spin attack and fiery batting.
As the desert evenings in Abu Dhabi unfold, the opening match promises to set an exciting tone for the festival of cricket that Asia has eagerly awaited.
Afghanistan Playing XI
Rashid Khan (capt), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Ishaq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fareed Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Hong Kong Playing XI
Yasim Murtaza (capt), Babar Hayat (vc), Zeeshan Ali (wk), Shahid Wasif (wk), Niazakat Khan, Nasrulla Rana, Martin Coetzee, Anshuman Rath, Ehsan Khan, Kalhan Marc Challu, Ayush Ashish Shukla, Mohammad Aizaz Khan, Ateeq Ul Rehman Iqbal, Kinchit Shah, Adil Mehmood, Anas Khan, Haroon Mohammad Arshad, Ali-Hassan, Ghazanfar Mohammad, Mohammad Waheed
The Asia Cup 2025 has begun, and cricket fans worldwide are in for a treat.
