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Afghanistan vs Hong Kong, China, Match 1 Match Summary

AFG vs HK, 2025 - T20 Summary

Afghanistan vs Hong Kong, China Scorecard
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Match Ended   
Match 1, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi , Sep 09, 2025
Afghanistan Afghanistan
188/6 (20.0/20)
Hong Kong, China Hong Kong, China
94/9 (20.0/20)
Afghanistan beat Hong Kong, China by 94 runs
  • Player of the Match
    Azmatullah Omarzai
    53(21)&1/4(2)
AFG 188/6
Bat Top Batsmen
<a href=/cricket/players/112538-sediqullah-atal-playerprofile>Sediqullah Atal</a>
Sediqullah Atal
73 (52)
  • 6x4s
  • 3x6s
  • 140.38SR
<a href=/cricket/players/112961-azmatullah-omarzai-playerprofile>Azmatullah Omarzai</a>
Azmatullah Omarzai
53 (21)
  • 2x4s
  • 5x6s
  • 252.38SR
Bowl Top Bowlers
HK 94/9
Bat Top Batsmen
Babar Hayat
Babar Hayat
39 (43)
  • 0x4s
  • 3x6s
  • 90.69SR
Yasim Murtaza
Yasim Murtaza
16 (26)
  • 1x4s
  • 0x6s
  • 61.53SR
Bowl Top Bowlers
Bowler
Gulbadin Naib
ECON 2.66
3
OVERS
8/2
R/W
Bowler
Fazalhaq Farooqi
ECON 5.33
3
OVERS
16/2
R/W
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Right then, a pretty one-sided curtain raiser to the 17th edition of the Asia Cup. Afghanistan have claimed a huge win over Hong Kong, China and have started off their campaign on a stronger note. Next up, we move to the lavish city of Dubai as it prepares to host an exciting Group A clash between India and the hosts, the United Arab Emirates, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. That game will be played on Wednesday, 10th September, and the first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 8 pm IST (2.30 pm GMT). But you know the drill, as our buildup and analysis begin well in advance. Till then, take care, cheers!
The victorious captain of Afghanistan, Rashid Khan, signs a ball for a fan and walks up for a chat. He reflects that it was a great win. Feels nice to put on a good total on the board. Highlights that in the last series, they lost early wickets with the bat and that is something they need to look into in the upcoming games against big teams. Overall, he feels that it was a great performance. Appreciates Omarzai for his all-round performance. On the dilemma to pick from a buffet of spinners, Rashid says it is a good headache to have as that puts an extra bit of pressure on the opposition teams. Says in T20s, they need to be prepared to chase and stresses about the mentality to chase down targets. Mentions that it was a tough decision to keep someone like Mujeeb out of the eleven. But ends by expressing his delight at the plans getting executed.
The captain of Hong Kong, China, Yasim Murtaza, says that playing in the Asia Cup is a dream come true for them as it is one of the biggest tournaments in the world. Adds that they bowled well, and he thought they could restrict the Afghans to 150, but praises Azmat for his fine fifty in 20-odd balls. Says that they had a couple of positives with Hayat getting some runs and the spinners also bowling well, so they will look to build on that.
Afghanistan's Azmatullah Omarzai is adjudged as the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his brilliant all-round performance. He says it is tough to bat in the lower order, but the coach and the captain have a strong belief in him. Mentions that he kept backing himself and tried to hit straight as the ball was coming nicely onto the bat. Shares that he spoke to Sediqullah Atal to go big after the 16th over. He cites that he tried to keep things simple out in the middle and waited for slot deliveries and converted them into boundary balls. He sees himself as a proper all-rounder who can perform well in both departments.
... THE PRESENTATION ...
Earlier in the game, Afghanistan opted to bat first but got off to a very scratchy start, losing Gurbaz and Ibrahim inside the first six. The ball held onto the surface and kept the batters tied up. As a result, Afghanistan could only score 77 in the first ten overs. However, a calm 51-run stand between Sediqullah Atal and Mohammad Nabi steadied things for them. Atal stayed till the end, and scored an impressive fifty, while late fireworks from Azmatullah Omarzai provided the perfect propulsion for Afghanistan as they scored 111 runs in the last ten overs. Hong Kong, China's spinners operated really well and used the conditions nicely, but the fielders didn't support them. Eventually, dropping Sediqullah Atal twice in the field came back to haunt them badly.
Afghanistan weren’t flawless in the field, with several lapses, including a couple of dropped catches. It’s an area they will want to tighten up, especially with bigger games ahead and a challenging group to navigate through. For Hong Kong, China, more than the results, it is about gaining as much experience as they can, playing against bigger oppositions and build a strong unit for the future. They would too, like to improve in their fielding department, including the death over bowling as well.
Babar Hayat stood firm at one end as partners kept departing from the other. With spin introduced in tandem, the challenge only grew tougher, runs dried up, and Hong Kong, China slipped deeper into trouble as the chase ground to a halt. Eventually, the final nail in the coffin was hit when Babar Hayat was fished out by Naib. From there, it was just a formality and a matter of time for Afghanistan to wrap up things swiftly, albeit the game went till the final over. Only two batters - Babar Hayat and skipper Yasim Murtaza could cross double digits, but it proved too little for them in the end.
Hong Kong, China got off to a nightmarish start as they lost 4 wickets inside the Powerplay. Nightmarish, because of the fashion in which the wickets fell. A couple were entirely avoidable, but scoreboard pressure combined with a touch of inexperience at this level forced those errors. Azmatullah Omarzai couldn't do anything wrong this evening, as he tore through the top order, picking up a wicket, effecting a run out, and leaving Hong Kong, China reeling at 23 for 4 after the first six overs.
On the expected lines, Afghanistan have walked over Hong Kong, China and have handed them a huge defeat. This win will surely do a lot of good to Afghanistan's net run rate as they move forward in the tournament. Got to feel for Hong Kong, China, though. They just couldn't put on a decent performance and crumbled under extreme pressure. Though they made the Afghan batters huff and puff for runs in the first ten overs with the ball, the point of difference was massively the experience of playing at bigger stages. And Afghanistan grabbed that opportunity handsomely.
Over 20 : 94/9
1 Runs
  • 019.1
  • W 19.2
  • 019.3
  • 019.4
  • 119.5
  • 019.6
A. Shukla
1 (2)
A. Iqbal
1 (3)
F. Farooqi
3-0-16-2
19.6
0
Fazalhaq Farooqi To Ayush Shukla
Nope, they can't! Fazalhaq Farooqi lands this short of a length and outside off, Ayush Shukla slashes at it but misses it completely. AFGHANISTAN WIN BY 94 RUNS!
19.5
1
Fazalhaq Farooqi To Ateeq Iqbal
Change of pace again, on a length and on middle, Ateeq Iqbal makes room and guides it to third man for one. Can Hong Kong, China, at least get to a 100 here?
19.4
0
Fazalhaq Farooqi To Ateeq Iqbal
Bangs in a short ball, outside off, Ateeq Iqbal has a wild swing at it but misses.
19.3
0
Fazalhaq Farooqi To Ateeq Iqbal
Back of a length and around off,  Ateeq Iqbal backs away and steers it to point.
Ateeq Iqbal is the last man in for Hong Kong, China.
19.2
W
Fazalhaq Farooqi To Ehsan Khan OUT!
OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Hong Kong, China are on the verge of getting bowled out here. Fazal gives no pace again, on a length and on middle, sticks to the surface. Ehsan Khan uses his feet to play at it with hard hands but ends up just chipping it back towards the bowler. Farooqi on his follow-through, gets down quickly and takes a good catch with the ball dying in front of him. Hong Kong, China are 93/9 now!
19.1
0
Fazalhaq Farooqi To Ehsan Khan
Slower one, on a length and on off, Ehsan Khan keeps it out down the pitch.
Fazalhaq Farooqi (2-0-15-1) to wrap up.
Over 19 : 93/8
4 Runs
  • 018.1
  • 118.2
  • 018.3
  • 1 WD 18.4
  • W 18.4
  • 118.5
  • 118.6
E. Khan
6 (9)
A. Shukla
1 (1)
G. Naib
3-0-8-2
18.6
1
Gulbadin Naib To Ehsan Khan
A full toss, on middle, Ehsan Khan steps across and clips it off the inner half of the bat onto the pads as the ball rolls towards square leg. They cross. There is also an appeal for LBW, but nothing doing.
18.5
1
Gulbadin Naib To Ayush Shukla
Pitched up and on off, swings in a bit, Ayush Shukla forces it to long on for one.
Ayush Shukla is in at 10.
18.4
W
Gulbadin Naib To Yasim Murtaza OUT!
OUT! LBW! Gulbadin Naib has two now! He cleverly takes all the pace off and bowls a leg-cutter, full and on middle, spins in a bit too. Yasim Murtaza crouches low to swipe across the line but gets beaten by the lack of pace and goes decades early through the shot. The ball thumps him on the back thigh right in front of the stumps. There is a big appeal, and the finger goes up. However, Murtaza takes a review here, but UltraEdge confirms no bat involved, and Ball Tracking comes up with three reds. Hong Kong, China lose their skipper, a review, and are eight down now.
18.4
wd
Gulbadin Naib To Yasim Murtaza
WIDE! Fuller but down the leg side, Yasim Murtaza fails to lay a bat on that. Called a wide.
18.3
0
Gulbadin Naib To Yasim Murtaza
Swing and a miss! Hits the length hard, on middle, skids through. Yasim Murtaza uses his feet to heave it over mid-wicket but misses as the ball just goes over the stumps.
18.2
1
Gulbadin Naib To Ehsan Khan
Back of a length and on off, Ehsan Khan moves across, rides the bounce and dabs it towards covers for a single.
18.1
0
Gulbadin Naib To Ehsan Khan
Fuller and on middle, angling in sharply, Ehsan Khan pats it to the right of the bowler.
Over 18 : 89/7
7 Runs
  • 117.1
  • 017.2
  • 017.3
  • 117.4
  • 1 WD 17.5
  • 417.5
  • 017.6
Y. Murtaza
16 (24)
E. Khan
4 (6)
N. Ahmad
4-0-16-1
17.6
0
Noor Ahmad To Yasim Murtaza
Noor Ahmad ends with incredible figures of 4-0-16-1! Floated, full and on off, turns in sharply, Yasim Murtaza prods forward to defend but misses and gets hit high on the pads.
17.5
4
Noor Ahmad To Yasim Murtaza
FOUR! That's a fine shot! Tossed up, full and around off, Yasim Murtaza uses his feet to go inside out and slaps it over extra cover for a boundary.
17.5
wd
Noor Ahmad To Yasim Murtaza
WIDE! Darts one full but down the leg side, Yasim Murtaza misses his sweep. Wided.
17.4
1
Noor Ahmad To Ehsan Khan
Wrong' un, full and on off, turns away, Ehsan Khan guides it to point for a run.
Full Commentary
20 OV
1 Runs
F. Farooqi to E. Khan A. Iqbal A. Shukla
  • 019.1
  • W 19.2
  • 019.3
  • 019.4
  • 119.5
  • 019.6
19 OV
4 Runs
G. Naib to E. Khan Y. Murtaza A. Shukla
  • 018.1
  • 118.2
  • 018.3
  • 1 WD 18.4
  • W 18.4
  • 118.5
  • 118.6
18 OV
7 Runs
N. Ahmad to Y. Murtaza E. Khan
  • 117.1
  • 017.2
  • 017.3
  • 117.4
  • 1 WD 17.5
  • 417.5
  • 017.6
17 OV
4 Runs
R. Khan to A. Khan E. Khan Y. Murtaza
  • 016.1
  • W 16.2
  • 216.3
  • 116.4
  • 116.5
  • 016.6
16 OV
5 Runs
N. Ahmad to Y. Murtaza A. Khan
  • 1 WD 15.1
  • 015.1
  • 015.2
  • 1 LB 15.3
  • 115.4
  • 115.5
  • 115.6
15 OV
5 Runs
R. Khan to Y. Murtaza A. Khan
  • 114.1
  • 114.2
  • 114.3
  • 014.4
  • 114.5
  • 114.6
14 OV
5 Runs
K. Janat to Y. Murtaza A. Khan
  • 013.1
  • 113.2
  • 113.3
  • 113.4
  • 113.5
  • 113.6
13 OV
3 Runs
G. Naib to Y. Murtaza B. Hayat A. Khan
  • 112.1
  • 112.2
  • 012.3
  • 112.4
  • W 12.5
  • 012.6
12 OV
16 Runs
K. Janat to B. Hayat Y. Murtaza
  • 011.1
  • 611.2
  • 111.3
  • 111.4
  • 611.5
  • 211.6
11 OV
1 Runs
G. Naib to B. Hayat Y. Murtaza
  • 010.1
  • 110.2
  • 010.3
  • 010.4
  • 010.5
  • 010.6
10 OV
3 Runs
N. Ahmad to B. Hayat K. Shah Y. Murtaza
  • 09.1
  • 09.2
  • 19.3
  • 29.4
  • W 9.5
  • 09.6
9 OV
10 Runs
R. Khan to K. Shah B. Hayat
  • 18.1
  • 68.2
  • 08.3
  • 18.4
  • 18.5
  • 18.6
8 OV
2 Runs
N. Ahmad to B. Hayat K. Shah
  • 07.1
  • 07.2
  • 17.3
  • 17.4
  • 07.5
  • 07.6
7 OV
5 Runs
R. Khan to B. Hayat K. Shah
  • 26.1
  • 06.2
  • 16.3
  • 06.4
  • 16.5
  • 16.6
6 OV
1 Runs
AM Ghazanfar to B. Hayat
  • 05.1
  • 05.2
  • 05.3
  • 05.4
  • 05.5
  • 15.6
5 OV
3 Runs
A. Omarzai to B. Hayat K. Challu K. Shah
  • 14.1
  • 24.2
  • W 4.3
  • 04.4
  • 04.5
  • 04.6
4 OV
3 Runs
AM Ghazanfar to B. Hayat K. Challu
  • 13.1
  • 13.2
  • 13.3
  • 03.4
  • 03.5
  • 03.6
3 OV
4 Runs
F. Farooqi to B. Hayat N. Khan K. Challu
  • 02.1
  • 1 WD 2.2
  • W 2.2
  • 12.3
  • 02.4
  • 12.5
  • 12.6
2 OV
1 Runs
A. Omarzai to B. Hayat Z. Ali
  • 01.1
  • 01.2
  • 11.3
  • 01.4
  • 01.5
  • W 1.6
1 OV
11 Runs
F. Farooqi to Z. Ali A. Rath B. Hayat
  • 10.1
  • W 0.2
  • 00.3
  • 10.4
  • 5 WD 0.5
  • 40.5
  • 00.6
Match Info
  • Venue Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
  • Weather Clear
  • Toss Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat
  • Result Afghanistan beat Hong Kong, China by 94 runs
  • Player of the Match Azmatullah Omarzai
  • Umpire Asif Yaqoob (PAK), Virender Sharma (IND) and Faisal Afridi (PAK)
  • Referee Sir Richie Richardson (WI)
Match Notes
  • Innings Break: Afghanistan 188/6 in 20.0 overs
  • A Omarzai Maiden T20I fifty: 50 runs in 20 balls (2x4) (5x6)
  • Afghanistan 154/4 in 17.4 overs
  • 5th wkt Partnership: 50 off 25 balls between S Atal (25) and A Omarzai (22)
  • S Atal 3rd T20I fifty: 50 runs in 41 balls (5x4) (1x6)
  • Afghanistan 100/4 in 13.5 overs
  • Drinks: Afghanistan 77/2 in 10.0 overs
  • 3rd wkt Partnership: 50 off 38 balls between S Atal (30) and M Nabi (33)
  • Afghanistan 55/2 in 6.4 overs
  • Mandatory Power play (1-6): Afghanistan 41/2
  • S Atal dropped on 4 by Y Murtaza in 0.4 overs
  • Referral 3 (18.4 ovs): Y Murtaza against AFG (LBW) Unsuccessful (AFG: 0, HKC: 1)
  • Referral 2 (13.1 ovs): AFG against Y Murtaza (LBW) Unsuccessful (AFG: 0, HKC: 2)
  • Hong Kong, China 50/5 in 11.2 overs
  • Drinks: Hong Kong, China 43/5 9.5 overs
  • Referral 1 (6.4 ovs): AFG against K Shah (Caught) Unsuccessful (AFG: 1, HKC: 2)
  • Mandatory Power play (1-6): Hong Kong, China 23/4
  • B Hayat dropped on 7 by K Janat in 4.1 overs
  • K Challu dropped on 2 by I Zadran in 3.6 overs
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