Afghanistan began their Asia Cup 2025 campaign in style by registering their biggest-ever win in the T20 Asia Cup. Playing at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, the Afghan team defeated Hong Kong by 94 runs on Tuesday, September 9. This dominant performance set the tone for their Group B journey and highlighted both their batting and bowling strength.
With this victory, Afghanistan not only secured two important points but also made a strong statement to other teams in the tournament. It was their biggest win in Asia Cup history and the third-biggest win overall in the T20 Asia Cup. The only larger wins were Pakistan’s 155-run victory and India’s 101-run win in earlier editions of the competition.
The Afghan innings began with confidence, as openers gave them a good start. Sediqullah Atal played a composed knock and ensured stability at one end, while Azmatullah Omarzai came out with an attacking mindset. Both players reached half-centuries, putting their team in a commanding position.
Afghanistan finished with 188 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. This was a strong total in the conditions, especially against a relatively inexperienced Hong Kong bowling unit that struggled to contain the Afghan batters.
The highlight of the innings came from Azmatullah Omarzai, who scored the fastest fifty for Afghanistan in T20 international cricket. He reached the milestone in just 20 balls, smashing five sixes and two fours. His blistering innings gave Afghanistan the perfect finishing kick, leaving Hong Kong completely under pressure even before their chase began.
Before Omarzai’s record, the fastest fifties for Afghanistan were shared by Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib, both of whom had scored half-centuries in 21 balls. Nabi’s came against Ireland in 2017, while Naib achieved it against India in 2024. Omarzai went one better, now holding the record solely.
The list of fastest Afghan fifties in T20Is now stands as:
Azmatullah Omarzai – 20 balls vs Hong Kong, 2025
Mohammad Nabi – 21 balls vs Ireland, 2017
Gulbadin Naib – 21 balls vs India, 2024
Najibullah Zadran – 22 balls vs UAE, 2016
Hazratullah Zazai – 22 balls vs Ireland, 2018
This explosive batting ensured Afghanistan had enough runs on the board to attack with the ball.
Chasing 189 runs against Afghanistan’s strong bowling attack was always going to be a tough ask for Hong Kong. However, they failed to show any intent and lost wickets quickly. By the time they reached 13 runs, three of their batters were already back in the pavilion.
Things did not improve as the innings progressed. Another wicket fell at 22, which included two run-outs, further denting their chances. The Afghan bowlers, led by Gulbadin Naib and Fazalhaq Farooqi, kept the pressure on. Both picked up two wickets each, leaving Hong Kong struggling to find any momentum.
The lower order offered little resistance, and Hong Kong eventually finished with just 94 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in 20 overs. This meant Afghanistan won by exactly 94 runs, making it their biggest margin of victory in the Asia Cup.
To put things in perspective, Afghanistan’s previous biggest Asia Cup win came in 2016, also against Hong Kong, when they had won by 66 runs. The new record highlights how much the Afghan team has grown in terms of both batting depth and bowling power.
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This victory was not just about two points in the group stage. It was a loud message from Afghanistan to the other top teams in the competition, including India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Their batting looked solid, with both consistency and power-hitting on display. Meanwhile, their bowlers showed discipline and aggression, making it very difficult for Hong Kong to even come close to the target.
For Hong Kong, the defeat was a harsh reminder of the gulf in quality between them and the top Asian sides. They will have to regroup quickly and try to show a better fight in their upcoming matches.
As for Afghanistan, this win will give them confidence going ahead in the tournament. Their record-breaking performance has set a positive tone for their campaign, and if they continue playing like this, they could well become one of the strongest contenders for the Asia Cup 2025 title.
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