Afghanistan kicked off their Asia Cup 2025 campaign in Abu Dhabi with a commanding 94-run victory over Hong Kong, sending a strong message to heavyweights like India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka – they are here to win, not just participate.
This emphatic win is now the third-biggest victory margin in Men’s T20 Asia Cup history, showcasing Afghanistan’s rising dominance in Asian cricket.
🔥 Biggest Victory Margins in Men’s T20 Asia Cup
155 runs – Pakistan vs Hong Kong, Sharjah, 2022
101 runs – India vs Afghanistan, Dubai, 2022
94 runs – Afghanistan vs Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi, 2025
71 runs – UAE vs Oman, Mirpur, 2016
66 runs – Afghanistan vs Hong Kong, Mirpur, 2016
Afghanistan’s Roller-Coaster Batting
Winning the toss, skipper Rashid Khan opted to bat first. The decision looked shaky early on as Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran fell cheaply in the powerplay, leaving Afghanistan struggling at 41/2.
A tense atmosphere surrounded the Afghan dugout until veteran Mohammad Nabi and youngster Sediqullah Atal stitched a patient 51-run stand, steadying the innings. But quick strikes from Hong Kong, including Nabi’s dismissal by Kinchit Shah, left Afghanistan under pressure at 95/4 after 13 overs.
Then came the turning point – Azmatullah Omarzai walked in with an attacking intent and turned the game upside down.
Omarzai’s Record-Breaking Blitz 💥
Omarzai lit up Abu Dhabi with a 20-ball fifty, the fastest T20I fifty ever by an Afghan batter. His fearless strokeplay, combined with Atal’s maturity, produced a match-winning 82-run partnership off just 35 balls.
Sediqullah Atal: 73 (52)
Azmatullah Omarzai: 53 (21)
Their fireworks powered Afghanistan to a daunting 188/6 in 20 overs.
Hong Kong’s Helpless Chase
In reply, Hong Kong’s batting crumbled under relentless Afghan bowling. Apart from Babar Hayat’s fighting 39, no batter could withstand the pressure.. Afghanistan’s bowlers, led by Fazalhaq Farooqi and Gulbadin Naib, dismantled their batting lineup. Despite battling through 20 overs, Hong Kong could only crawl to 94/9, handing Afghanistan a 94-run victory.
Afghanistan’s bowling stars:
Fazalhaq Farooqi – 2 wickets
Gulbadin Naib – 2 wickets
Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad and Azmatullah – 1 wicket each
Hong Kong could only manage 94/9 in 20 overs, handing Afghanistan a massive 94-run victory.