Afghanistan powered to a convincing 94-run win against Hong Kong in the opening match of the Asia Cup at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, on Tuesday.
Batting first, Afghanistan posted a total of 188 for six wickets in their 20 overs. Sediqullah Atal led the charge with an unbeaten 73 runs off 52 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 140.38. Azmatullah Omarzai contributed 53 runs from 21 deliveries, including two fours and five sixes, scoring at an impressive rate of 252.38. Mohammad Nabi added a useful 33 runs in 26 balls.
Hong Kong struggled in reply, managing only 94 for nine wickets in their 20 overs. Babar Hayat top-scored with 39 runs off 43 balls, while Yasim Murtaza, the captain, scored 16 runs before falling lbw. Several batters were dismissed cheaply, with key wickets falling at critical moments.
Afghanistan’s bowlers performed strongly, with Fazalhaq Farooqi taking two wickets for 16 runs in three overs. Gulbadin Naib also claimed two wickets, while Azmatullah Omarzai and Rashid Khan took one each.
Afghanistan have controlled the match throughout, maintaining a run rate of 9.40. Hong Kong could not keep pace, finishing with a run rate of just 4.70.
TOSS
Afghanistan have elected to bat first against Hong Kong.
Hong Kong XI: Zeeshan Ali (wk), Babar Hayat, Anshuman Rath, Kalhan Challu, Nizakat Khan, Aizaz Khan, Kinchit Shah, Yasim Murtaza (capt), Ayush Shukla, Ateeq Iqbal, Ehsan Khan
Afghanistan XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (capt), Noor Ahmad, AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi
