Sediqullah Atal, Omarzai shine in Afghanistan’s dominant win
Afghanistan crushed Hong Kong by 94 runs in the opening game of the Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Stadium.
Afghanistan began their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a thumping 94-run victory over Hong Kong in the opening match at the Dubai International Stadium on Tuesday. The win highlighted Afghanistan’s batting depth and bowling firepower as they outplayed their opponents in all departments.
Opting to bat first, Afghanistan got off to a brisk start despite losing Rahmanullah Gurbaz early for 8. Ibrahim Zadran also departed cheaply, but opener Sediqullah Atal held the innings together with a composed knock. Atal remained unbeaten on 73 from 52 balls, laced with six fours and three sixes, anchoring the side through crucial middle overs.
He found support in Mohammad Nabi, who scored a steady 33 off 26 balls, before Azmatullah Omarzai’s explosive batting shifted the momentum decisively. Omarzai smashed 53 runs from just 21 deliveries, hammering five sixes and two boundaries to propel Afghanistan to 188/6 in 20 overs. Hong Kong’s bowlers struggled to contain the run flow, with Kinchit Shah (2/24) and Ayush Shukla (2/54) being the most successful but expensive options.
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Chasing 189, Hong Kong faltered under pressure and never looked in control. Opener Anshuman Rath fell for a duck in the very first over, while Zeeshan Ali (5) and Nizakat Khan (0) also departed cheaply. Babar Hayat was the lone fighter with 39 off 43 balls, striking three sixes, while captain Yasim Murtaza contributed 16. However, the rest of the batting lineup crumbled, and Hong Kong ended with 94/9 in their full quota of overs.
Afghanistan’s bowlers delivered a clinical performance. Fazalhaq Farooqi struck twice with the new ball, Gulbadin Naib returned figures of 2/8, while Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad tightened the screws in the middle overs. Omarzai capped off a memorable all-round show by also picking up a wicket for just four runs.
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Last Updated on September 9, 2025
