AFG Win By 94 Runs | Afghanistan vs Hong Kong Highlights of Asia Cup 2025: Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Bowlers Help Rashid Khan and Co Start With Victory

That's it! Afghanistan secure a comfortable victory. They started off gingerly but picked up pace with Sediqullah Atal and Azmatullah Omarzai stitching a solid partnership. With the ball, they gave no chance to Hong Kong China. The game virtually ended long back and the rest of it was a matter of time. Afghanistan will want to use this winning momentum in the next games. 

Out! Gulbadin Naib gets another. It was a leg-cutter. Came in towards Yasim Murtaza who misjudged the trajectory, got hit at the pads and was adjudged LBW. Despite taking review, he couldn't save himself. Murtaza lbw b Gulbadin 16(26).

Out! Hong Kong China now scrapping straws as they fall. e, Aizaz Khan gets forward to slogsweep and skies it. Nabi moves back and takes a good catch in the end despite misjudging for a moment. Aizaz Khan c Nabi b Rashid Khan 6(10).

Out! Babar Hayat has been keeping the Hong Kong innings together and hoping to save the big damage their net run rate was going to it. But it was in vain as Hayat had to go for a big shot and it ended up carrying on to the deep fielder. Bowler Gulbadin Naib looked elated. Afghanistan are in brink of a victory here. Hayat c Sediqullah Atal b Gulbadin 39(43).

Out! The inevitable takes place as Noor Ahmad scalps his first wicket of the day in the form of Kinchit Shah. Kinchit Shah sweeps aiming to the gap between square leg and mid-wicket. It was wide from fielder Karim Janat but he sticks out his hand and dives at the last moment, managing to hold on. Hong Kong are just surviving now. Kinchit Shah c Karim Janat b Noor Ahmad 6(10).

Out! Another one bites the dust and Hong Kong is falling apart here. Kalhan Challu drives the ball straight back at Azmatullah Omarzai, sets off two three steps but doesn't get back in time as Azmatullah grabs the ball and throws in one motion. Another run out and Hong Kong are in deep trouble. Kalhan Challu run out (Azmatullah) 4(8).

Out! Horrible turn of luck for Hong Kong and they are in deep trouble now. Hayat gets forward to drive hard and straight to mid-off, a direct-hit at the bowler's end, and although it seemed Nizakat Khan was in the safety of the crease, the third umpire's review showed something. Nizakat was just short though as he dragged his bat. Nizakat Khan run out (Rashid Khan) 0(0).

Out! Two big wickets in two overs and body blows to Hong Kong. Two of their best three batters are out and only Babar Hayat is out on the crease. Farooqi managed to produce a nick off the bat of Anshuman Rath when he was on the score of zero and Azmatullah Omarzai got a leading edge of Zeeshan Ali's bat which lobbed on to the hands of mid-off. Afghanistan are on top here. Zeeshan Ali c Nabi b Azmatullah 5(6) and Anshuman Rath c Gurbaz b Fazalhaq Farooqi 0(1).

Azmatullah Omarzai's massacre in the 19th over made sure Afghanistan posted a very strong total on the board. Despite not being able to get hold of Ehsan Khan, Afghanistan did enough to get to 188. Sediqullah Atal has played a big role as well, anchoring the innings throughout. They will back themselves to defend the total. 

Out! Another wicket for Hong Kong China and they are elated. Although the score looks big already, Karim Janat doesn't do much damage. Swings for the hills and gets caught at the deep. A few runs saved for Hong Kong with the dismissal.  Karim Janat c Nizakat Khan b Ehsan Khan 2(3).

Out! Azmatullah Omarzai departs but he has done the damage. Ayush Shukla got his wicket but before that, he was smashed for three sixes and a boundary. Azmatullah also completed the fastest half-century for an Afghanistan player, bringing it up in only 20 balls. Tried to go big again and miscued this time only ending up skying the ball. Azmatullah c Aizaz Khan b Ayush Shukla 53(21).

While the batters at the other end try to settle in, Sediqullah Atal has held one end and anchored the innings. He has survived a close call in the first over but after that he has tried to accumulate runs with occasional big shots adding volume. Amid that, he has also completed his half-century. Atal will look to go big in the last four overs. 

Out! Gulbadin Naib doesn't make much difference. It is Kinchit Shah again who strikes. Slower through the air, Gulbadin wanted to muscle it to the stands but miscues and the ball just skies up. Captain Yasim Murtaza settles and takes an easy catch. Gulbadin c Yasim Murtaza b Kinchit Shah 5(8).

Out! Mohammad Nabi departs. Afghanistan remembered their collapse in the Pakistan game and hence has promoted Mohammad Nabi at number four and looked to stitch a partnership while consolidating. Nabi did his part but wanted to tee off first ball after drinks. Miscues a delivery from Kinchit Shah and the long off fielder takes an easy catch. Nabi c Nizakat Khan b KD Shah 33(26).

Not the best of starts for Afghanistan. They have lost two wickets, could have lost three if not for a drop and moderately scored in the powerplay. They will have to up their ante and at the same time consolidate so that they get to a competitive total while avoiding any collapse. Mohammad Nabi and Sediqullah Atal are out on the crease. 

Out! Afghanistan lose two in two and this has been their problem. They bank too much on the top order for runs and once two wickets are dismissed, they land in trouble. Ibrahim Zadran departs just in the third over.  Good length ball outside off, not the exact length for a drive, seams away with Ibrahim going for a drive on the rise, kisses the outside edge and Zeeshan Ali takes a good catch. Ibrahim Zadran c Zeeshan Ali b Ateeq Iqbal 1(4). 

Out! Ayush Shukla strikes in his second over.  Fullish delivery and swings away a bit, Gurbaz dances down the track to loft it over mid-off. Doesn't get enough and the ball just scoops towards mid-off. Nizakat Khan runs back and takes a good catch. First wicket for Hong Kong in the Asia Cup 2025. Gurbaz c Nizakat Khan b Ayush Shukla 8(5).

Hong Kong (Playing XI): Zeeshan Ali(w), Babar Hayat, Anshuman Rath, Kalhan Challu, Nizakat Khan, Aizaz Khan, Kinchit Shah, Yasim Murtaza(c), Ayush Shukla, Ateeq Iqbal, Ehsan Khan.

Afghanistan (Playing XI): Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Sediqullah Atal, Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan(c), Noor Ahmad, AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Toss Update: Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat first.