Afghanistan will launch its Asian Cup campaign with Abu Dhabi tournament minnow Hong Kong thrashing.
Released on September 10th, 2025
Azumathura Omarzai hit 20 balls and 50 as Afghanistan beat Hong Kong with 94 runs in the opening match of Abu Dhabi’s Asian Cup.
Afghanistan first chose the bat, posting 188-6, with opener Sedikula Atal playing the anchor role in the unbeaten 73 on Tuesday.
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His fifth wicket partnership with Omarzai, 82, hit 53 balls from 21 balls, including two fours and five sixes, but proved Afghanistan’s key to Group B fixture.
The Afghan bowlers then combined to reduce Hong Kong to 94-9.
Early on, the temperature was 40c (104f), but the humidity in the evening tested the fitness of athletes who had a regular drink break.
The Hong Kong bowler dealt Afghanistan two early blows, but Atal scored 51 runs with veteran Mohammad Navi, earning 33 as a two-man counterattack.
Offspinner Kinchit Shah broke his position to dismiss Navi, but Atal increased his run rate with Omarzai, who hit his first T20I 50 people (the fastest of the Afghans).
Hong Kong, where Fielder dropped five catches, was unable to chase after slipping 22-4 within five overs, including two runouts.
Afghanistan was playing within 48 hours of losing to Pakistan in the final of the Try Series in Sharjah on Sunday.
The next Asian Cup fixture will face Bangladesh on September 16th.
Tournament favourite India will launch its campaign in Group A on Wednesday, facing the United Arab Emirates in Dubai on Wednesday.
India and Pakistan will be held on September 14th at the most highly anticipated match of the Twenty20 tournament. This will serve as accumulation of the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next year.
