AFG vs HK Match Prediction: Who Will Win the Asia Cup 2025 - 1st Match?

The 17th edition of one of the most prestigious cricket tournaments in the world, the Asia Cup, is set to commence on 9th September 2025, where fans will witness a clash between Afghanistan (AFG) and Hong Kong (HK) in the first match of the tournament. The game will take place at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Indian spectators will be able to see the contest at 8:00 PM on Tuesday, September 9th.

Both teams are in Group B of the tournament, where they will also face one of the best cricket teams in the world, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. If we take a look at the previous T20I series of both teams, Afghanistan were defeated in the final match of the United Arab Emirates T20I Tri-Series 2025 against Pakistan by 75 runs. Afghanistan is currently standing at the 9th position of the ICC Men’s Team T20I rankings.

On the other hand, Hong Kong is also in the same condition as Afghanistan, as they are also coming defeated in this series against Malaysia by 10 wickets in the finals of the Asia Pacific Cricket Champions Trophy. Hong Kong is currently standing at the disappointing 24th position of the ICC Men’s Team T20 ranking.

Afghanistan vs Hong Kong Match Details

AFG vs HK Head-to-Head Record

If we take a look at the head-to-head record between Afghanistan and Hong Kong, both teams have faced each other 6 times, where this time, Afghanistan has the upper hand, as they have won 4 games out of their clashes. In comparison, Hong Kong has won 2 times against them in the shorter format of the game, as per the Afghanistan vs Hong Kong stats. This makes their head-to-head score 4-2. This indicates the dominance of Afghanistan over Hong Kong in the shorter format of the game.

AFG vs HK Pitch Report & Weather Conditions

According to the Sheikh Zayed Stadium pitch report, the surface and weather at Abu Dhabi will play a big role in determining the result of this game. While the weather is expected to be clear for this game, the pitch will be wonderful for batting, which calls for a high-scoring game.

Balanced Wicket

The surface at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi is expected to be balanced and assist both batters and bowlers equally. The batters might dominate, as recent games have seen their success in all phases of the game. The team winning the toss will look to bat to understand more about the surface and its behaviour since this is the first game at this venue in this tournament.

Chasing Factor

Chasing is hard compared to defending the target at this venue. A total of 90 matches have been played here, where 49 matches have been won by a team while chasing, and on the other hand, 41 games have been won by a team while batting first

Average 1st Innings Score

In T20 matches played at this venue, the average first innings score stands at 136, while the average for the second innings drops to 123. The highest total recorded here is a massive 225/10 runs by Ireland against Afghanistan, whereas the lowest is just 54/7 runs by the United States Women against Thailand Women.

Chasing Record

The chasing record at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi is above average, as a total of 90 matches have been played on this very ground when it comes to the T20I format of the game, where 49 matches have been won by a team while chasing. On the other hand, 41 games have been won by a team while batting first which make this above average record of 55%. This also makes the toss even more crucial in the upcoming first game of the Asia Cup 2025 between Afghanistan and Hong Kong.

Weather Report

According to the Sheikh Zayed Stadium Abu Dhabi weather, the conditions are expected to be perfect for cricket, with clear skies and no rain threat for the entire duration of the game. Pleasant evening weather with a mild breeze will make it comfortable for both players and fans.

AFG vs HK Match Prediction Playing 11s (Predicted)

Both teams have dynamic batters and incredible bowlers, who are well-deserved to be included in the playing 11 of their respective teams, and can lead their team to a victory single-handedly with their all-round performances as per our AFG vs HK Match Prediction. Let's take a probable playing 11 of Afghanistan vs Hong Kong.

Afghanistan Probable Playing 11

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (c), Mohammad Nabi, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Hong Kong Probable Playing 11

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

Form and Fitness

Recent Form (most recent first): L, W, W, L, W

Recent Form (most recent first): L, W, W, W, L

AFG vs HK Recent Form

Both teams have struggled during their last match, which might lower the confidence of both teams in the upcoming tournament, especially Hong Kong, which is going to play its first Asia Cup tournament, which might affect their chances to qualify for the Super 4 of the Asia Cup 2025, according to our AFG vs HK Match Prediction.

Afghanistan Cricket Team Recent Form

Afghanistan is currently standing at the disappointing 9th position of the ICC Men’s Team T20 ranking. In the last 5 games they have played, they have won 3 games and lost 2 of them, including their last one against Pakistan by 75 runs in the final match of the United Arab Emirates T20I Tri-Series 2025.

Hong Kong Cricket Team Recent Form

Hong Kong is currently standing at the disappointing 24th position of the ICC Men’s Team T20 ranking. In the last 5 games they have played, they have won 3 games and lost 2 of them, including their last one against Malaysia by 10 wickets in the finals of the Asia Pacific Cricket Champions Trophy.

AFG vs HK Toss Prediction

Considering the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium pitch report, the conditions and the past results on this ground, the captain winning the toss might prefer to bat first. Our prediction is that AFG will win the toss and opt to bat.

AFG vs HK Score Prediction

• Scenario 1: AFG batting first

If AFG bats first, we expect a total of around 175 runs.

• Scenario 2: HK batting first

If HK gets to bat first, they are likely to score near 145 runs according to our prediction.

AFG vs HK Players to Perform Prediction

There are a no. of players in both teams who can impact the result. Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Yasim Murtaza and Ibrahim Zadran are all capable enough to perform well. Rashid is one of the best spinners in the world. These will be the key players to perform according to our AFG vs HK Match Prediction. Let's look at four players from both teams who can emerge to be the best performers of this match.

Afghanistan Players To Watch Out For

• Afghanistan's top-order batter, Ibrahim Zadran, was the standout batter for his team as he scored an incredible 194 runs in the 5 matches he played for his team in the United Arab Emirates T20I Tri-Series 2025.
• One of the best bowlers in the world right now, Rashid Khan, was the standout bowler for Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates T20I Tri-Series 2025, as he took 9 wickets in 5 matches. Rashid is one of the best bowlers in the world currently.

Hong Kong Players To Watch Out For

• Hong Kong's top-order batter Anshuman Rath was the standout batter for his team as he scored an incredible 274 runs in the 7 matches he played for his team in the Asia Pacific Cricket Champions Trophy 2025.
• Left-arm off-spinner Yasim Murtaza was the standout bowler for Hong Kong in the Asia Pacific Cricket Champions Trophy 2025, as he took 9 wickets in 7 matches.

AFG vs HK Best Batsman Prediction

Who will score the most runs for Afghanistan in the match: Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Who will score the most runs for Hong Kong in the match: Anshuman Rath and Zeeshan Ali

AFG vs HK Best Bowler Prediction

Who will pick the most wickets for Afghanistan in the match: Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad
Who will pick the most wickets for Hong Kong in the match: Yasim Murtaza and Ayush Shukla

Disclaimer: The prediction is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.