The wait is over as the Asia Cup 2025 gets underway. The opening match will see Afghanistan taking on Hong Kong in Group B. The clash is set for today, September 9th at 8 pm IST at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Hong Kong are playing their fifth Asia Cup but face a tough group. They will need to put in a strong effort to compete against higher-ranked teams.
Afghanistan came into this match after losing the T20I Tri-Series final against Pakistan on Sunday. They will be eager to bounce back and open their Asia Cup campaign with a victory.
Head-to-head record favors Afghanistan
In five past meetings, Afghanistan have won three matches, while Hong Kong have won two. This means the game could turn out to be quite competitive if Hong Kong puts in a strong performance.
Afghanistan, on the other hand, look like a well-rounded side with explosive batters such as Rahmanullah Gurbaz and skipper Ibrahim Zadran leading from the top. Young wicketkeeper Mohammad Ishaq brings fresh energy to the squad, while all-rounders like Karim Janat, Gulbadin Naib and Azmatullah Omarzai add strength with both bat and ball.
Spin power for Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s biggest strength lies in their spin attack, with Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad forming a formidable trio. They also have variety in pace, as Fareed Ahmad brings left-arm swing while youngster Abdollah Ahmadzai adds extra speed. With the right mix of experienced names and rising talent, their bowling line-up looks both dangerous and unpredictable.
Hong Kong’s batting challenge
Hong Kong’s batting has been inconsistent. Babar Hayat is their most dependable batter, while Nizakat Khan and Anshuman Rath bring experience. Rath’s quick 27 off 12 balls in their last game was a positive, but the rest of the lineup has struggled to deliver.
Zeeshan Ali is steady behind the stumps but slow with the bat. Yasim Murtaza and Ehsan Khan lead their spin options, but the pace attack of Aizaz Khan, Nasrulla Rana, and newcomer Paras Singh has lacked penetration. Their expensive spells in recent games remain a concern.