AFG vs HKG Match Prediction : 1st Match, Asia Cup, 2025

Afghanistan should be much more confident than Hong Kong for this match. The team has been well-prepped in terms of time in the field and the exposure of numerous players to the best T20 leagues around the world. The odds are stacked in favor of Afghanistan and it is easy to understand why. There are still pockets of value to look at, though.

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Afghanistan vs Hong Kong Head-to-Head Record

The Afghans lead this clash against Hong Kong by three wins to two. The Afghans have made remarkable improvements since then to earn themselves a top ten ranking, while Hong Kong is ranked outside the top 20 nations.

Afghanistan vs Hong Kong Live-streaming and Broadcast

Afghanistan and Hong Kong will lock horns in the first match of this year’s Asia Cup at Zayed Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, 9 September 2025. You have many options to view this game in India through either the Sony Sports Network or the SonyLIV app.

You can find live odds, updated tips after every day's play, and more information about this match at ocbscores.com.

AFG vs HKG Team Previews

Afghanistan

Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s fearless power-play hitting sets the tone up top. Skipper Ibrahim Zadran is another opener who will give this side immediate scoreboard pressure and a license to boss the middle overs.

Together, they have more than 3000 T20I runs. New gloveman Mohammad Ishaq adds neat hands behind the wickets and is one of the exciting young batting prospects of the country. Karim Janat’s ball-striking and seamers pair nicely with Gulbadin Naib’s experience and game sense with bat and ball. Azmatullah Omarzai won’t be afraid to use his hit-the-deck pace and finish with late-order strikes. This is an all-round department filled with more than 2000 T20I runs and more than 100 T20I wickets.

Spin remains the trump card. Mujeeb ur Rahman’s mystery is backed by the left-arm wrist-spin of Noor Ahmad and the right-arm leg-spin of the world-class Rashid Khan. As a group, the spinners took more than ten wickets in the UAE T20I Tri-Series.

With Fareed Ahmad’s left-arm seam shaping the new ball and the pace of newcomer Abdollah Ahmadzai coming through, the attack has variety and zip in the wings. Ahmadzai took three for 21 in his domestic T20 league final.

Afghanistan Expected Playing 11

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran (c), Mohammad Ishaq (wk), Karim Janat, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fareed Ahmad, Noor Ahmad, Abdollah Ahmadzai

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Hong Kong

The team has squeezed into the 2025 Asia Cup, but the step-up in class is likely to expose familiar issues. Babar Hayat remains the headline batter yet runs arrive in streaks. Fellow veterans Nizakat Khan and Anshy Rath add experience without guaranteeing tempo against elite new-ball attacks.

Zeeshan Ali’s glovework is steady, but at 36, he’s unlikely to transform the run rate quickly. Martin Coetzee has struggled to offer anything meaningful, with his highest T20I score in his past three innings being five runs. Anshy Rath’s 27 runs off 12 balls made up more than half of the team’s runs in the previous match. The rest of the batting unit failed to pull up its socks.

Yasim Murtaza’s left-arm orthodox and Ehsan Khan’s offspin give control through spin. The seam contingent feels similar in its nature. Aizaz Khan’s medium-fast pace lacks any real shock to opposition batters. Nasrulla Rana is willing and improving, but he’s still learning at this level.

Waqas Barkat’s efforts have been reasonable with the ball, but he is getting on in age. new face Paras Singh is largely untested internationally. He has proven to be useful in domestic cricket, but there are question marks under pressure at the highest level.

With 28 runs and 15 runs in one over each of the team’s previous T20I, neither Ehsan Khan nor Nasrulla Rana would’ve filled captain Murtaza with confidence. Paras Singh got taken for two sixes in two balls in his previous match.

Hong Kong Expected Playing 11

Zeeshan Ali (wk), Babar Hayat, Nizakat Khan, Anshy Rath, Martin Coetzee, Yasim Murtaza (c), Aizaz Khan, Nasrulla Rana, Waqas Barkat, Ehsan Khan, Paras Singh

AFG vs HKG Toss Prediction

The captains should be enthused by the prospect of winning the toss and bowling first. Four of the five matches between the teams have been won by the side batting second.

Pitch Report and Weather Conditions

The pitch in Abu Dhabi should be set for a fair contest between bat and ball in the first innings. Evenings often bring dew to make the ball skid onto the pitch nicely. Batting should become easier and more consistent under the night conditions. The previous first-innings total at the venue was 195 for six by Ireland.

Although the chance of rain is at ten percent, that shouldn’t spoil the play. Especially when the sun should be shining for most of the day with some scorching hot and humid temperatures.

AFG vs HKG: Who Will Win?

Afghanistan should be in pole position to draw first blood in the 2025 Asia Cup. The team achieved a historic feat after reaching the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup semi-finals for the first time in 2024. Afghanistan has become a powerhouse in the shortest format recently and should be able to get past Hong Kong with ease.

Bet on Afghanistan to win.

AFG vs HKG win percentage stands at 90% in favor of AFG.

Todays Match Prediction: Afghanistan to Win.