&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "Asia Cup 2025, Match 1: Omarzai, Sediqullah Atal star in Afghanistan's statement win over Hong Kong")
AFG vs HKC – HIGHLIGHTS
Afghanistan defeated Hong Kong in their tournament opener by 94 runs, pocketing crucial points in the Asia Cup 2025. Batting first in Abu Dhabi, Afghanistan scored a match-winning 188 for six in 20 overs, thanks to fifties from opener Sediqullah Atal (73*), with all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai smashing a quickfire inside 20 balls. Even though only three Afghan players entered the double digits, scoring nearly 190 put them in the driver’s seat.
Afghanistan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi produced a wicket in the first over, only for his fellow seamers and spin trio to come and break into Hong Kong’s batting order. Their premier batter, Babar Hayat, did play some stunning shots, but they were never enough to help his team stay ahead at any point in this contest.
Also read | 2025 Asia Cup: Lack of interest or anger? India vs Pakistan game tickets not sold out yet
Almost all Afghan bowlers, barring teenager Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, returned with a wicket each, with two seamers, Farooqi and Gulbadin Naib, picking two each.
Scorecard
Trending Stories
)
US strikes hit key bridge and airport in southern Iran, IRGC-linked media reports
)
US caps foreign students' stay at 4 years under new visa rule; Over 3.31L Indian students could be affected
)
Ukrainian drone travels 2,500 km in 12 hours to attack oil refinery in Siberia, as CIA confirms 30-minute soldier lifespan
)
Trump in address to nation, repeats stolen election claims, alleges China compromised 220 million voter data files
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Maintenance, training and missiles': Inside the true cost of operating an S-400 battery
)
Amid spate of resignations at ISRO, Govt places curbs on quitters
)
BREAKING: Massive earthquake jolts tourist hotspot in New Zealand, tsunami warning issued
)
Why Sheikh Hasina wants to return to Bangladesh despite death sentence —and what it means for India | WION Decodes
)
That is a misconception: Aamir Khan says 3 Idiots was not inspired by Sonam Wangchuk, Chatur is wrong
)
Iran's daring plan to seize US base, kidnap American soldiers could spark total war
)
WATCH | Terrified deer flee in panic on Iran’s Kharg Island amid US strikes
)
Matchbox miracle: Telangana weaver gifts 5.5-metre silk saree that fits inside a matchbox to Goddess Bharamaraba at Srisailam temple | VIDEO
)
Before you buy your Odyssey ticket: The difference between IMAX 70mm and digital explained
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian fighter jets leave exhaust pipes raw compared to US jets
)
Former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan, 2 other Indian-origin experts join US Fed Reserve's task forces
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How much does a single S-400 missile cost?
)
Trump, Netanyahu drown in 'sea of revenge': Iran reveals new mural
)
Can the government force-feed Sonam Wangchuk like it did Irom Sharmila? Here's what the law says about hunger strikes | WION Decodes
)
'We share the anguish...': Congress appeals to Sonam Wangchuk to end fast, even as Rahul Gandhi remains missing from Jantar Mantar
How many missiles does one S-400 have?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (July 17, 2026): Maa Inti Bangaaram, The East Palace, Desire- 5 new movies and TV shows on Netflix, JioHotstar and more
)
‘Response to the crimes of arrogant enemy’: Iran launches ‘revenge’ attacks across Gulf
)
Americans need to prove they are American citizens to visit a national park in US
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian strike fighters seat pilots side-by-side compared to US jets
)
5 times in 40 years: Rare Atlantic Niña could soon grip Earth as Super El Niño tightens its jaws. What to expect?
)
Iraqi armed group announces $10 million reward for killing Trump
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why does the B-52 bomber still use eight engines?
)
Blasts heard in Doha, Qatar confirms intercepted missile attack
)
The Odyssey movie review: Christopher Nolan crafts a visual masterpiece that strips the glory from war
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
FIFA 2026: BTS to Justin Bieber! A look at the complete lineup for the World Cup final halftime show
)
'Monster fish' 20 times their original size are swarming Scottish lochs
| AFGHANISTAN (188/6 in 20 overs) | HONG KONG |
| Sediqullah Atal (73* off 52 balls) | Kinchit Shah (2/24) |
| Azmatullah Omarzai (53 off 21 balls) | Ayush Shukla (2/54) |
| Mohammad Nabi (33 runs off 26 balls) | Eshan Khan (1/28) |
| HONG KONG (94/9 in 20 overs) | AFGHANISTAN |
| Babar Hayat (39 off 43 balls) | Gulbadin Naib (2/8) |
| Yashim Murtaza (16 off 26) | Fazalhaq Farooqi (2/16) |
Top Performances
Azmatullah Omarzai was perhaps the top performer for Afghanistan. Having scored a brilliant quick-fire fifty (53 off 21 balls) in the first innings, he returned with a wicket in the second innings, helping his team stay ahead in their tournament opener. Apart from him, opener Sediqullah Atal shone with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 73 off 52 balls.
With the ball in hand, seamers Faroorqi and Gulbadin Naib picked two wickets each, dominating Hong Kong from the ball one.
Best Moments
There were not many better moments for Hong Kong, who now need a place to hide after this shambling performance, but for Afghanistan, there were a few.
Omarzai's innings - Omarzai's innings was the highlight of the day for Afghanistan. He took the attack to the opposition from the word go, hitting five sixes in his blistering outing and helping his team put up a match-winning total. He later returned to pick one wicket to produce a handsome performance.
