AFG vs HKG Playing 11: Rashid Khan-led Afghanistan will square off against Yasim Muftaza-led Hong Kong in the 1st match of the Asia Cup 2025 on September 09 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi.
Afghanistan has suffered a defeat in the finals of the UAE Tri-Nation Series and will be aiming to bounce back during the continental event.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong will be aiming to make an impact in the ongoing tournament to make a solid start. Both sides are set to face each other in T20Is after nine years, as the last met in March 10, 2016.
Afghanistan have won the toss and they’ve decided to bat first. @Assiacup2025 pic.twitter.com/pTRwt2UFGG
— DP WORLD ASIACUP 2025 (@Assiacup2025) September 9, 2025
Afghanistan and Hong Kong has met on 5 occasions where Afghanistan has three wins while Hong Kong has two wins.
Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat first. Speaking at the toss, Rashid Khan said, “We would like to bat first. It looks like a good wicket to put runs on the board, good total on the board will help the bowlers.
“In T20 it does not matter if you win the toss or not, but you have to give yourself the best opportunity to pick wickets in the middle period,” added Rashid.
“It is already behind us, we are well focussed on the game today, even if we had won the final we would have focussed on the game today and how to win. Just one change – Gulbadin is back,” concluded Rashid Khan.
Meanwhile, Yasim Murtaza said, “We wanted to bowl first. I am happy to bowl. We worked hard to get here. We played good cricket in the qualifiers. As a captain I am looking forward to see how Kalhan Challu will do on the big stage.”
AFG vs HKG Playing 11
Afghanistan Playing 11: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Sediqullah Atal, Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan(c), Noor Ahmad, AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Hong Kong Playing 11: Zeeshan Ali(w), Babar Hayat, Anshuman Rath, Kalhan Challu, Nizakat Khan, Aizaz Khan, Kinchit Shah, Yasim Murtaza(c), Ayush Shukla, Ateeq Iqbal, Ehsan Khan
