The Sports Desk
Hong Kong vs Afganistan: Overview The Asia Cup 2025 begins in Abu Dhabi with an interesting battle in prospect as winless Hong Kong takes on a wounded Afghanistan who are in the doldrums following their tri-series final loss at the hands of Pakistan.
A high-stakes opener
Though the Asia Cup is by far the largest non-ICC international cricket tournament, the opening clash between Afghanistan and Hong Kong may not be the most glamorous match of the tournament. But with a short format and no margin for error, every match amounts to something.
The challenge is about as tough as it gets for Hong Kong. They have been drawn in a pool with Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and, they have it all to do. Having contested 16 T20Is this year, the gulf in class is a worry. Their preparations in the UAE – four warm-up games including two apiece won and lost against Oman and local clubs – reflect the difficult road lying in wait.
Afghanistan looking to bounce back
Afghanistan come into the series on the back of a hammering from Pakistan in the final of the tri-series. Their batsmen seemed to have hit rock bottom against spin in Sharjah, not a good sign if you are looking ahead to the Asia Cup. However, following the wins against Pakistan and UAE in recent weeks, Rashid Khan’s men are expected to bounce back sooner rather than later.
One area of concern, though, is the form of opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Afghanistan’s man in a hurry. After scuffling in the tri-series, this game against Hong Kong is a golden opportunity for Bumrah to get his mojo back. Gurbaz will be a key component of Afghanistan batting along side Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal.
Hong Kong backing on Rath & Zeeshan Profile: Hong Kong banking on Rath & Zeeshan Ads by Valueimpression Some good knocks from Anshuman, Rath after middle-order wobble Anshuman Rath then played the role of the anchor.
Hong Kong, meanwhile, will bank on their star duo of Anshuman Rath and Zeeshan Ali for the motivational aspect. Both have been in excellent form with centuries in T20Is this year and have been scoring at a SR of over 140. Rath in particular has been a model of consistency averaging just under 50 with six half centuries to his name. An explosive start from the openers is Hong Kong’s only chance of unsettling the Afghan bowlers.
Team news
- Afghanistan (probable XI): Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (capt), Mohammad Nabi, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
- Hong Kong (probable XI): Anshuman Rath, Zeeshan Ali (wk), Babar Hayat, Nizakat Khan, Matthew Coetzee, Yasim Murtaza (capt), Ehsan Khan, Aizaz Khan, Ateeq Iqbal, Nasrulla Rana, Ayush Shukla.
Conditions and stats
The game is in Abu Dhabi, a ground with slightly lesser assistance to spinners as compared to that in Dubai. Afghanistan themselves boast a good record here, 11 victories in 16 matches. Curiously enough, Hong Kong has only ever beaten them in UAE, and that too on this very ground, in 2015.
History has hardly been kind to Hong Kong. Over 21 years of the Asia Cup, not once they have emerged victorious – crashing in all 11 matches that they have contested so far.
What’s at stake?
Afghanistan will seek to make a statement and their confidence back after the big-win against Sri Lanka in their massive group clashes, Hong Kong would be looking to script history with their first-ever win in the Asia Cup. With Afghanistan overwhelming favourites, an enterprising Hong Kong display could help ensure an entertaining lid-lifter.
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