Asia Cup 2025: Afghanistan Look to Bounce Back Against Hong Kong After Tri-Series Setback

Asia Cup 2025: Afghanistan Look to Bounce Back Against Hong Kong After Tri-Series Setback

Afghanistan will enter their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with concerns over the form of star opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who struggled throughout the recently concluded tri-series. Scoring just 98 runs at a strike rate below 110, Gurbaz’s underwhelming performances have come under scrutiny — especially with tougher fixtures ahead.

While his 40-run knock in a dead rubber against the UAE offered a brief spark, it was far from the kind of form Afghanistan will need if they are to mount a serious challenge in the tournament. Gurbaz’s explosiveness at the top is seen as vital to Afghanistan’s chances, and the match against Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi could be a golden opportunity for the opener to rediscover his rhythm.

A Tournament Like No Other

Viewed through the lens of regional cricket fandom, the Asia Cup remains the most prestigious non-ICC tournament. Although an opening clash between Afghanistan and Hong Kong may not seem blockbuster on paper, its implications are significant — particularly for Hong Kong, who face a daunting group featuring three tournament contenders: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

Hong Kong, who have played 16 T20Is this year, arrived in the UAE three weeks early and scheduled four warm-up matches — two each against Oman and local club sides. Splitting those matches reflects both their preparation and the steep challenge ahead. Their level of opposition in those games will be no match for what they face now — including Afghanistan’s world-class bowling unit and battle-hardened top order.

A Chance for an Upset?

Afghanistan, however, are not coming in at full throttle. Just two days prior, they suffered a heavy defeat to Pakistan in the tri-series final, where their batting order crumbled against spin on a turning Sharjah pitch. The emotional toll of that loss, combined with a tight turnaround, may give Hong Kong a narrow window to capitalise.

Still, Afghanistan remain favourites. They’ve already recorded wins over both Pakistan and the UAE recently and boast a bowling attack well-suited to UAE conditions. With depth across both departments, they even rotated half the squad in a dead rubber and still managed a win — a testament to their bench strength.

Spotlight on the Openers

Gurbaz remains the focus for Afghanistan. Despite recent struggles, he is the most explosive batter in the squad. His early wickets have been offset somewhat by the consistency of Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal, but for Afghanistan to go deep in this competition, they will need Gurbaz firing on all cylinders.

In contrast, Hong Kong’s openers come into the match in superb form. Zeeshan Ali and Anshuman Rath have been the backbone of their batting lineup, both scoring centuries this year and maintaining strike rates in the mid-140s. Rath, in particular, has been outstanding — averaging just under 50 and notching five fifties alongside a 59-ball hundred against Singapore. If Hong Kong are to stand any chance, they will need a strong start from their openers.

Team News

Afghanistan are expected to stick with the spin-heavy combination they used in the final against Pakistan, with Noor Ahmad likely to play alongside captain Rashid Khan. Hong Kong will rely heavily on their experienced top order and the leadership of Yasim Murtaza.

Probable XIs:

  • Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (capt), Mohammad Nabi, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi

  • Hong Kong: Anshuman Rath, Zeeshan Ali (wk), Babar Hayat, Nizakat Khan, Matthew Coetzee, Yasim Murtaza (capt), Ehsan Khan, Aizaz Khan, Ateeq Iqbal, Nasrulla Rana, Ayush Shukla

Pitch and Conditions

The match will be played in Abu Dhabi, where conditions tend to be less spin-friendly than Dubai — a factor that may slightly reduce Afghanistan’s traditional edge. The weather is expected to be warm and humid in the evening, standard for this time of year in the UAE.

Stats and Trivia

  • Hong Kong have never won a match in their 21-year Asia Cup history, losing all 11 matches to date.

  • Afghanistan enjoy a strong T20I record in Abu Dhabi, with 11 wins in 16 matches — their best at any UAE venue.

  • However, they lost their only match against Hong Kong at this venue, back in 2015.

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