Afghanistan defeated Hong Kong by 94 runs in the opening game of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 on Tuesday at the Zayed Cricket Stadium thanks to the bowling combined of Sediqullah Atal and Azmatullah Omarzai, who both scored fifties.
Despite top-order batsman Babar Hayat’s anchoring knock, Hong Kong was only able to amass 94/9 in their 20 overs while chasing a formidable 189-run goal.
In the run chase, Babar fought alone for Hong Kong, scoring a conservative 39 off 43 deliveries. With a 26-ball 16, he was the only player other than captain Yasim Murtaza to achieve double figures.
Afghanistan’s bowling attack was led by Gulbadin Naib and Fazalhaq Farooqi, who each took two wickets. Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and Omarzai also contributed one wicket each.
