SEPT 9, 2025 | ABU DHABI: Being a promising game, it will be the inaugural match of the Asia Cup 2025 (Afghanistan vs Hong Kong), an important tournament preceding the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Both teams want to start out with a good performance in this opening match of the Asia Cup. Afghanistan is thirsty to wash out scars from recent setbacks, while Hong Kong eyes to upset the more seasoned opponents.
Afghanistan and Hong Kong in the Asia Cup 2025 Opening Match
This T20 battle would see the best cricket teams from Asia across the board. This year is especially salient because it will serve as preparation for the 2026 INR ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to be held across India and Sri Lanka. The Afghanistan vs Hong Kong contest is the first among others, which include Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The teams will fight not just for wins but also to finish at second position to qualify for the Super Fours.
Afghanistan enters the tournament on a positive note after a recent loss against Pakistan in the tri-series final. Rashid Khan has looked in good form during the past matches, but the biggest question is one of inconsistency. Afghanistan has a very successful T20 international record in Abu Dhabi. They’ve won eleven and lost five matches there. Back in 2015, Afghanistan lost to Hong Kong once on this same ground, which adds some rivalry to this Asia Cup opener.
Also Read: Asia Cup Revised Schedule: Match Start Timings Updated for Tournament
Hong Kong will be attempting its 5th Asia Cup, but only its second in the T20 format. Having never won a match, a record of 0-11 so far in Asia Cup history, Hong Kong certainly has talent. Players such as Babar Hayat, who is one of only two T20 Asia Cup centurions, Ehsan Khan, the leading wicket-taker for the team, and the openers Zeeshan Ali and Anshuman Rath, who have had strong showings so far this season, will be crucial for a positive start for Hong Kong in this Asia Cup opener.
Here are the squads for Afghanistan and Hong Kong for the Asia Cup 2025:
Afghanistan Squad:
- Rashid Khan (Captain)
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Wicketkeeper)
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Darwish Rasooli
- Sediqullah Atal
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Karim Janat
- Mohammad Nabi
- Gulbadin Naib
- Sharafuddin Ashraf
- Mohammad Ishaq
- Noor Ahmad
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman
- AM Ghazanfar
- Farid Ahmad Malik
- Fazalhaq Farooqi
- Naveen-ul-Haq
Hong Kong Squad:
- Yasim Murtaza (Captain)
- Babar Hayat (Vice-Captain)
- Zeeshan Ali (Wicketkeeper)
- Shahid Wasif (Wicketkeeper)
- Nizakat Khan Mohammad
- Nasrulla Rana
- Martin Coetzee
- Anshuman Rath
- Ehsan Khan
- Kalhan Marc Challu
- Ayush Ashish Shukla
- Mohammad Aizaz Khan
- Ateeq-ul-Rehman Iqbal
- Kinchit Shah
- Adil Mehmood
- Anas Khan
- Haroon Mohammad Arshad
- Ali Hassan
- Ghazanfar Mohammad
- Mohammad Waheed
Match History and Rivalry
Afghanistan and Hong Kong have met five times in T20s. Hong Kong won only twice, both victories coming in 2015. Since then, Afghanistan has won every encounter. Despite this, Hong Kong’s squad of skilled expat players means they are not easy opponents. The match in Abu Dhabi holds added importance as Afghanistan has traditionally performed well there. However, past losses have shown Hong Kong can surprise when least expected. This history makes the Asia Cup opening match one to watch.
- Afghanistan’s form and consistency after the recent T20I tri-series.
- The performance and impact of Rashid Khan’s bowling under pressure.
- Hong Kong’s chances of breaking their Asia Cup losing streak.
- Contributions from Hong Kong’s openers are aiming to give a good start.
- Team strategies for competing in the high-stakes group stage.
This Asia Cup opening match promises to be an exciting and closely contested encounter. Both Afghanistan and Hong Kong will put their best foot forward in Abu Dhabi on September 14, 2025, aiming for a win to boost their chances in the Asia Cup 2025.
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