Afghanistan won by 94 runs
Afghanistan started their Asia Cup 2025 campaign in style with a commanding 94-run victory over Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi. A fine all-round performance, highlighted by Azmatullah Omarzai’s explosive batting and Afghanistan’s disciplined bowling, ensured a dream start to the tournament for Rashid Khan’s men.
🔥 Afghanistan’s Batting Brilliance
Opting to bat first, Afghanistan posted a daunting 188/6 in 20 overs. Opener Sediqullah Atal anchored the innings with a brilliant unbeaten 73 (52 balls, 6 fours, 3 sixes), while Azmatullah Omarzai stole the show in the latter overs with a quickfire 53 off just 21 balls, striking at a breathtaking 252.38 strike rate.
Despite losing early wickets, Afghanistan accelerated after the 15th over, adding crucial runs in the death overs to set a massive target for Hong Kong.
🎯 Hong Kong’s Struggle with the Bat
In reply, Hong Kong never looked settled against Afghanistan’s spin-heavy attack. Only Babar Hayat (39 off 43) and Yasim Murtaza (16 off 26) offered some resistance as Hong Kong was restricted to 94/9 in 20 overs.
Afghanistan’s bowlers shared the spoils, with Fazalhaq Farooqi (2/16) and Gulbadin Naib (2/20) leading the way, while Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad chipped in with crucial breakthroughs.
🏆 Player of the Match: Azmatullah Omarzai
Azmatullah Omarzai’s all-round display earned him the Player of the Match award. His explosive batting in the death overs completely shifted the momentum in Afghanistan’s favor.
Azmatullah Omarzai: “Very tough batting in the lower order. It is all about belief. The captain and coach have belief in me. I was speaking to Atal that we will go for boundaries after the 16th over. When I get the ball, I feel like a proper bowler, and with the bat, I feel like a proper batter.”
🎙️ Post-Match Reactions
- Rashid Khan (Afghanistan captain): “Good to put runs on the board. Wickets early on is the key. Batting in the death overs was a great effort, especially Omarzai. We have good spinners and when you put runs on the board, batters take risks, giving us chances to pick wickets.”
- Yasim Murtaza (Hong Kong captain): “It feels like a dream come true to play the Asia Cup. Honestly, we weren’t expecting that kind of total. Credit to Omarzai, he changed the game. Babar Hayat with the bat and our spinners were positives.”
📊 Key Records from the Match
- Biggest Victory Margins in Men’s T20 Asia Cup:
- 155 runs – Pakistan vs Hong Kong, Sharjah, 2022
- 101 runs – India vs Afghanistan, Dubai, 2022
- 94 runs – Afghanistan vs Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi, 2025
- 71 runs – UAE vs Oman, Mirpur, 2016
- 66 runs – Afghanistan vs Hong Kong, Mirpur, 2016
- Most Catches Dropped in a Men’s T20I since 2020:
- 8 – Australia vs Scotland, Gros Islet, 2024
- 8 – West Indies vs Australia, Kingston, 2025
- 8 – Afghanistan vs Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi, 2025
✅ This win not only gave Afghanistan a strong start in Group B but also sent a warning signal to other teams about their powerful batting depth and spin dominance.
