Afghanistan vs Hong Kong T20: Afghanistan began their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a decisive 94-run victory over Hong Kong in the Group B opener on Tuesday. The win was a confident display of all-around cricket, highlighted by record-breaking batting and a disciplined bowling performance that left Hong Kong's chase in disarray.
All-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai was the star of the show, smashing Afghanistan's fastest T20 half-century. He reached the milestone in just 20 balls, a blistering knock that included five sixes.
Omarzai's performance, alongside opener Sediqullah Atal, who scored an unbeaten 73 off 52 balls, helped Afghanistan post a formidable total of 188 for 6. Atal was given three lifelines by Hong Kong's fielders, and he made them pay, anchoring the innings with a solid partnership with Omarzai.
In their chase, Hong Kong's batting lineup crumbled under the pressure from Afghanistan's pace and spin attack. The team struggled from the start, losing four wickets inside the powerplay to be left reeling at 22 for 4.
Two of these wickets came from run-outs, a clear sign of the immense pressure on the Hong Kong batters. Captain Yasim Murtaza and Babar Hayat were the only two players to reach double figures, with Hayat top-scoring with 39 off 43 balls.
Afghanistan's bowlers were in complete control, with pacers Fazalhaq Farooqi (2-16) and Gulbadin Naib (2-8) leading the charge. The spin trio of Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and AM Ghazanfar also played a crucial role, choking the Hong Kong batters by conceding just 44 runs in their combined 10 overs. Khan and Ahmad each took a wicket, proving their ability to contain the flow of runs in the middle overs.
Despite a few lapses in fielding, Afghanistan's performance was a statement of intent for the tournament. The win puts them in a strong position in Group B, which also includes Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. With two teams set to qualify for the Super 4 stage, Afghanistan will be confident of their chances of progressing further in the tournament.