Afghanistan opened their Asia Cup campaign with a 94-run victory over Hong Kong in their Group B clash on Tuesday, powered by Azmatullah Omarzai’s record-fast fifty and Sediqullah Atal’s unbeaten 73.
Opting to bat, Afghanistan posted 188-6 despite being 110-4 with five overs remaining. Omarzai turned the innings around with a 20-ball half-century — the fastest by an Afghan in T20 internationals — before falling for 53 off 21 balls. Atal held the innings together with 73 not out, while Mohammad Nabi added 33. Hong Kong dropped five catches, three of them offering reprieves to Atal.
In reply, Hong Kong crumbled to 22-4 inside the first five overs. Skipper Babar Hayat resisted with 39 off 43 balls, including three sixes, but no other batter crossed 20 as the team was restricted to 94-9 from their 20 overs.
Gulbadin Naib led the Afghan attack with 2-8 in three overs, supported by Fazalhaq Farooqi’s 2-16. Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad and Omarzai picked up a wicket each.
Kinchit Shah (2-24) was Hong Kong’s most effective bowler.
Brief scores: Afghanistan 188-6 (Atal 73*, Omarzai 53; Shah 2-24) beat Hong Kong 94-9 (Hayat 39; Naib 2-8, Farooqi 2-16) by 94 runs