Afghanistan Defeats Hong Kong by 94 Runs in Asia Cup Opener

Afghanistan began their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a dominant 94-run victory over Hong Kong at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. Key performances came from Sediqullah Atal, who remained unbeaten with 73 off 52 balls, and Azmatullah Omarzai, who scored a rapid 53 off 21 balls, helping Afghanistan post a strong total of 188 for six. The Afghan bowlers, led by Fazalhaq Farooqi and Gulbadin Naib, then restricted Hong Kong to 94 for nine, with early wickets crippling the chase as Hong Kong lost four wickets in the power play. Hong Kong struggled with poor running between wickets, suffering two run-outs and dropping eight catches, which further hampered their pursuit. Babar Hayat was the top scorer for Hong Kong with 39 runs, but the team never managed to build momentum against Afghanistan's disciplined bowling attack. The match underscored Afghanistan's status as a formidable side in the tournament, combining calculated batting and effective bowling to secure a comprehensive win.