At 26/2, Afghanistan were in trouble. Hong Kong, ranked much lower in ICC T20I standings, sensed an opportunity. Their bowlers, led by Ateeq Iqbal and Ayush Shukla, maintained discipline and kept Afghanistan’s big hitters quiet.
Atal and Nabi Rebuild
Sediqullah Atal, who survived a dropped catch in the very first over, capitalized on his lifeline. Alongside veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, he stitched together a steady partnership. The duo added 51 runs for the third wicket, bringing Afghanistan back into the contest and pushing the run rate close to eight per over.
Nabi, initially cautious, shifted gears with boundaries and a towering six over long-off. Atal too displayed fine shot selection, punishing loose deliveries and rotating strike effectively. By the 10th over, Afghanistan had reached 77/2, looking set to post a competitive total.
Hong Kong’s Early Success
Despite dropping a sitter in the slip cordon, Hong Kong’s captain Yasim Murtaza rallied his team with sharp field placements and effective bowling changes. Their energy on the field signaled intent, and the wickets of Gurbaz and Zadran kept the momentum in their favor early on.
Hong Kong entered the Asia Cup as underdogs in Group B, which also includes Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Their spirited start against Afghanistan has now added spice to the group dynamics, making the race to the Super Four more unpredictable.
Group B Scenarios
The Asia Cup format allows the top two teams from each group to advance to the Super Four. Afghanistan were expected to secure one of those spots easily. However, Hong Kong’s fight in the opening match shows they are capable of springing surprises.
With Sri Lanka and Bangladesh yet to play, the group remains wide open. Afghanistan will need their star players—especially Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad—to deliver in upcoming games if they are to bounce back from this shaky start.
Fans React
Cricket fans across Asia reacted strongly on social media. While Afghan supporters expressed disappointment at the early collapse, many applauded Hong Kong’s fearless attitude. For a side ranked 24th in the ICC T20I table, troubling one of world cricket’s fastest-rising teams is already a significant achievement.
Experts believe that Afghanistan still hold the edge with their bowling strength, but the Asia Cup has once again proven to be a platform where underdogs can punch above their weight.
