The Asia Cup 2025 kicks off with a high-voltage clash as Afghanistan face Hong Kong in the tournament opener at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi. Both teams will be eager to set the tone early—Afghanistan enter as one of the most improved white-ball sides, while Hong Kong aim to prove their mettle against stronger opposition. With the whole continent watching, this fixture marks the beginning of a tournament filled with rivalries, passion, and a pathway to the Super Four stage.
Live Streaming Info
Cricket fans across the globe can catch AFG vs HK, Asia Cup 1st T20I through multiple official broadcasters: India: Star Sports Network, live streaming on Disney+ Hotstar, Pakistan: PTV Sports and Ten Sports, Afghanistan: RTA Sports (exclusive broadcast partner), USA & Canada: Willow TV
Match Start Time: 6:30 PM GST | 7:00 PM PKT | 7:30 PM IST | 2:00 PM GMT
Team Analysis
Afghanistan come into this tournament as dark horses with a squad full of match-winners. At the top, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran provide explosive starts, capable of clearing boundaries in the powerplay. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi plays the anchor’s role, allowing stroke-makers like Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, and Azmatullah Omarzai to accelerate later. Their batting has improved in consistency, showing the ability to chase down big targets as well as defend tricky totals.
The true strength of Afghanistan lies in their bowling attack, one of the most feared in T20 cricket. Rashid Khan leads the spin unit with his guile and variations, supported by Mujeeb ur Rahman’s mystery spin and Noor Ahmad’s left-arm angle—together, they form a spin trio that can dismantle any batting order. In pace, Fazalhaq Farooqi brings swing up front, while Naveen-ul-Haq and Omarzai provide control at the death with variations and yorkers. Their balance of batting firepower and bowling depth makes them genuine contenders.
Hong Kong, on the other hand, are underdogs but carry a reputation for upsetting higher-ranked sides. Skipper Nizakat Khan’s fearless approach at the top is complemented by Babar Hayat, their most experienced and technically reliable batter. Yasim Murtaza’s all-round abilities add depth, while Kinchit Shah and Zeeshan Ali bring stability to the middle order. They will rely on partnerships and counter-attacking cricket to stay competitive.
Bowling-wise, Ayush Shukla is their spearhead with pace and bounce, while Ehsan Khan has long been their go-to spinner with an ability to bowl tight lines under pressure. The team’s success will depend on whether their bowlers can restrict Afghanistan’s aggressive batting in the powerplay and middle overs. If they can force early wickets, Hong Kong may create pressure that could tilt the contest.
Match Insights and Conclusion
This opening clash sets the tempo for the Asia Cup 2025. For Afghanistan, it is about making a statement—they not only want to win, but win big, showcasing their rising status as a dangerous T20 side. For Hong Kong, this is a chance to prove themselves on Asia’s biggest stage, where an upset could rewrite the script of the tournament.
Expect Afghanistan to rely heavily on their world-class spinners and aggressive batting, while Hong Kong will aim to play with freedom, using discipline and fearlessness to stay in the contest. Either way, the first ball in Abu Dhabi on 9 September promises to ignite the tournament with passion, intensity, and intrigue.
