The Asia Cup 2025 is here, and fans are gearing up for the opening clash between Afghanistan (AFG) and Hong Kong (HKG) on September 9 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi. This will be the first-ever Asia Cup T20 meeting between these two teams, making it a historic moment for both sides.
While Afghanistan enters the tournament as the favorites with a strong T20 record, Hong Kong will be keen to create an upset and start their campaign on a winning note. Let’s take a detailed look at AFG vs HKG head-to-head T20 records, key stats, top performers, and what to expect in this clash.
Afghanistan vs Hong Kong Head-to-Head Record in T20Is
Afghanistan and Hong Kong have faced each other 6 times in T20 Internationals. Afghanistan holds the upper hand with 4 wins, while Hong Kong has managed 2 victories.
| Stat | Afghanistan | Hong Kong |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 6 | 6 |
| Matches Won | 4 | 2 |
| Win % | 66.7% | 33.3% |
| First T20I | March 9, 2012 | – |
| Last T20I | March 10, 2016 | – |
| Highest Team Total | 178/7 (2012) | 166/6 (2015) |
| Lowest Team Total | 167/7 (2015) | 103/9 (2012) |
Key Insight: Afghanistan’s strong bowling unit has been the difference in most of these games, while Hong Kong’s victories have come when their top order clicked and chased down targets.
Top Batting Performers in AFG vs HKG T20Is
| Player | Team | Runs | Best Score | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Shahzad | Afghanistan | 200 | 68 | 140+ |
| Mark Chapman | Hong Kong | 110 | 54 | 130+ |
| Najibullah Zadran | Afghanistan | 60* | 60* | 150+ |
| Irfan Ahmed | Hong Kong | 54 | 54 | 135+ |
Mohammad Shahzad has been Afghanistan’s go-to batter in this fixture, often providing explosive starts. Mark Chapman (now representing New Zealand) was Hong Kong’s most consistent batter during their clashes.
Top Bowling Performers in AFG vs HKG T20Is
| Player | Team | Wickets | Best Bowling | Economy Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Nabi | Afghanistan | 12 | 4/17 | 6.0 |
| Dawlat Zadran | Afghanistan | 8 | 5/14 | 5.5 |
| Aizaz Khan | Hong Kong | 7 | 3/38 | 7.5 |
| Haseeb Amjad | Hong Kong | 5 | 3/28 | 7.0 |
Highlight: Dawlat Zadran’s spell of 5/14 in March 2012 remains one of the best bowling performances in AFG vs HKG history.
Results Summary (T20I Matches)
| Date | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 18, 2012 | Sharjah, UAE | Afghanistan won by 9 wickets |
| Mar 17, 2014 | Chattogram, Bangladesh | Afghanistan won by 1 run |
| Jul 20, 2015 | Dublin, Ireland | Hong Kong won by 5 wickets |
| Nov 27, 2015 | Abu Dhabi, UAE | Hong Kong won by 4 wickets |
| Feb 21, 2016 | Dhaka, Bangladesh | Afghanistan won by 66 runs |
| Mar 10, 2016 | Nagpur, India | Afghanistan won by 3 runs |
Asia Cup 2025 Clash – Why It Matters
- This will be their first Asia Cup T20 match ever.
- Afghanistan will aim to start strong and push for Super Four qualification.
- Hong Kong will look to recreate their 2015 and 2018 upsets and spoil Afghanistan’s plans.
- Key players to watch: Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (AFG) vs Yasim Murtaza, Babar Hayat, and Zeeshan Ali (HKG).
Match Venue & Timing
- Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
- Date: September 9, 2025
- Time: 7:30 PM IST | 6:00 PM Local (UAE) | 2:00 PM GMT
The Sheikh Zayed pitch generally favors spinners and rewards bowlers who can keep it tight, making this game a potential low-to-mid scoring thriller.
Read more: – Afghanistan cricket schedule
The AFG vs HKG rivalry in T20Is might not be the most high-profile clash of the Asia Cup 2025, but it promises plenty of excitement. With Afghanistan holding a 4-2 advantage, they will walk in as favorites. However, Hong Kong has shown they can spring surprises on big stages, which makes this match a must-watch encounter.
