ABU DHABI (Kashmir English): Afghanistan thumped Hong Kong by 94 runs in the opening match of the men’s T20 Asia Cup at the Zayed Cricket Stadium here on Tuesday.
The event opened with the Group ‘B’ match between the two teams. Six-time Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are the other teams in their group.
17th edition of the Asia Cup
In the opening game of the 17th edition of the Asia Cup, Afghanistan elected to bat first and posted 188-6 with opener Sediqullah Atal playing the anchor role with an unbeaten 73.
His fifth-wicket partnership of 82 with Omarzai, who hit 53 off 21 balls, including two fours and five sixes, proved key for Afghanistan.
Afghanistan’s bowlers later joined efforts to keep Hong Kong down to 94-9.
The humidity in the evening tested the fitness of the players who took regular drinks breaks with temperatures touching 40 degrees Celsius.
Hong Kong, whose fielders dropped five catches, were never in the chase after they were 22-4 inside five overs, including two run-outs.
Afghanistan entered the match after being routed by Pakistan by 75 runs in a tri-series final at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
India will face hosts United Arab Emirates in Dubai in Group A on Wednesday.
Pakistan and India meet on September 14 in the most-awaited match of the T20 tournament.
