The first Group B T20 match of Asia Cup 2025 will be played between Afghanistan (AFG) and Hong Kong (HKG) on 9 September 2025 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi. This is the opening match of the T20 tournament.
The match will start at 8:00 PM IST (6:30 PM GST local time). Both teams would like to start with their first win in the tournament. Afghanistan is a strong contender, while Hong Kong will try to upset.
The live telecast of the match will be available on Sony Network and Disney+ Hotstar in India.
AFG vs HKG 2025: Head to Head
In the last 5 matches, Afghanistan has a 3-2 lead over Hong Kong. The last time Afghanistan won was in March 2016 by 6 wickets. Hong Kong defeated Afghanistan twice in 2015. This season, the two teams will face each other for the first time.
Asia Cup 2025: Afghanistan and Hong Kong Team Status
Afghanistan performed well in the recent UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025, but lost to Pakistan by 75 runs in the final. Ibrahim Zadran (214 runs in 7 seasons, 30.57 average) and Sediqullah Atal (178 runs in 7 seasons) impressed in their batting.
Rashid Khan (22 wickets in 9 seasons, 6.64 economy) and Naveen-ul-Haq (12 wickets in 5 seasons) are the strengths in bowling. Afghanistan is a strong contender led by captain Rashid Khan.
Hong Kong won 4 out of 6 matches in the Asia Pacific Champions Trophy 2025, but lost to Malaysia by 10 wickets in the final. Their batting is led by Anshuman Rath (446 runs in 10 years, 49.56 average, 150.67 strike rate) and Zeeshan Ali (317 runs in 10 years).
Yasim Murtaza (11 wickets in 9 years) and Nasrulla Rana (7 wickets in 9 years) contributed in bowling. Hong Kong will try to make an upset under the leadership of captain Yasim Murtaza.
Afghanistan (AFG) Probable Playing XI
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK)
- Sediqullah Atal
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Darwish Rasooli
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Mohammad Nabi
- Rashid Khan (C)
- Karim Janat
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman
- Noor Ahmad
- Fazalhaq Farooqi
Hong Kong (HKG) Probable Playing XI
- Zeeshan Ali(WK)
- Anshuman Rath
- Babar Hayat
- Nizakat Khan
- Yasim Murtaza (C)
- Kalhan Challu
- Aizaz Khan
- Nasrullah Rana
- Ehsan Khan
- Ayush Shukla
- Mohammad Ghazanfar
AFG vs HKG Today Match Weather and Pitch Report
The Sheikh Zayed Stadium pitch is balanced, with an average score of 145 runs in the first innings and 132 runs in the second. Spinners get help in the middle overs, while batsmen can score runs in the powerplay. Chasing teams have won 60% of the matches.
Abu Dhabi on 9 September 2025 is expected to have a full match with a temperature of 32-35°C, clear skies, and negligible chances of rain.
Asia Cup 2025: AFG vs HKG Today Match Prediction
Afghanistan vs Hong Kong Match Prediction: Afghanistan have Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz in batting, and the spin-pace duo of Rashid Khan (22 wickets) and Naveen-ul-Haq in bowling.
Hong Kong have the potential of Anshuman Rath and Yasim Murtaza, but their inexperience and poor record against Afghanistan (2-3) pose a challenge. Afghanistan’s dominance in head-to-head and better NRR makes them favourites. Many analysts have given Afghanistan a 94% chance of winning.
Based on the statistics, Afghanistan’s chances of winning are 90% and Hong Kong’s are 10%. If Afghanistan bat first and score 160+, they will be a sure win. Hong Kong need a big innings from Rath and early wickets from Murtaza to turn the tables.
