Credit: X
The Asia Cup 2025 kickstarted with the opening match between Afghanistan and Hong Kong at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. In the first match of the season, Afghanistan opted to bat first after winning the toss. The Rashid Khan-led side didn’t get a quite good start with the bat as they lost two quick wickets. After that, opener Sediqullah Atal took charge of the innings and scored an half-century.
Along with Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai also turned out to be a star of Afghanistan’s innings as they posted a competitive total 188 runs for the loss of six wickets in their 20 overs. The right-hander scored a quickfire 53(21) with a fiery strike rate of 252.38. Omarzai completed his fifty in just 20 balls which was fastest for Afghanistan in the shortest format. With the help of his score, Afghanistan were able to get past 180-run mark in the first innings. Before losing his wicket in the 19th over, Omazai ended up smashing 22 runs in an over with three sixes and a four.
Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai guide Afghanistan to 188/6 vs Hong Kong
Talking about the match, batting first after winning the toss, Afghanistan lost two wickets at the score of 26 runs in 3.2 overs. After that, Sediqullah Atal and Mohammad Nabi added 51 runs for the third wicket. Nabi got out after scoring 33(26) runs. Afghanistan were 95/4 in 13 overs before Azmatullah Omarzai joined Atal at the crease. Omarzai ended up scoring 53 runs off just 21 balls hitting two fours and five sixes.
Before losing his wicket to Ayush Shukla in on the fifth ball of the 19th over, Omarzai smashed 22 runs on the first four balls hitting three sixes followed by a four. After his wicket, Atal took the innings further and remained unbeaten on 73*(52) runs hitting six fours and three sixes.
