Abu Dhabi/Patiala, 10 September (Sports Desk)
Match Overview
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Date and Time: September 9, 2025, 8:00 PM IST (6:30 PM local time, toss at 7:30 PM IST)
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Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE
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Format: T20 International (Match No. 3443)
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Toss: Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat first.
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Result: Afghanistan won by 94 runs.
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Player of the Match: Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan) for 53 runs off 21 balls and 1/4.
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Cricinfo’s MVP: Azmatullah Omarzai (103.81 impact points).
Match Summary
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Afghanistan Innings: 188/6 (20 overs)
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Top Scorers: Sediqullah Atal (73* off 53 balls), Azmatullah Omarzai (53 off 21 balls)
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Key Bowlers (Hong Kong): Kinchit Shah (2/24), Ayush Shukla (1 wicket), Ehsan Khan (1 wicket)
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Hong Kong Innings: 94/9 (20 overs, target: 189)
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Top Scorer: Babar Hayat (39 runs)
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Key Bowlers (Afghanistan): Gulbadin Naib (2/8), Fazalhaq Farooqi (2/16), Azmatullah Omarzai (1/4)
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Margin of Victory: Afghanistan won by 94 runs.
Afghanistan’s Batting: Atal and Omarzai Shine Afghanistan posted 188/6, driven by Sediqullah Atal’s unbeaten 73 off 53 balls and Azmatullah Omarzai’s explosive 53 off 21 balls, the fastest T20I fifty for Afghanistan. Despite losing Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran early, Atal’s composed innings and Omarzai’s late blitz, aided by three dropped catches by Hong Kong, set a challenging total. Mohammad Nabi supported with a steady contribution. Kinchit Shah was Hong Kong’s best bowler, taking 2/24.
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Hong Kong’s Batting: A Collapse Under Pressure Chasing 189, Hong Kong managed only 94/9, with nine batters scoring single digits. Babar Hayat’s 39 was the lone resistance against Afghanistan’s disciplined bowling, led by Gulbadin Naib (2/8) and Fazalhaq Farooqi (2/16). Omarzai’s all-round brilliance included a wicket and a run-out. Hong Kong’s innings faltered due to poor partnerships and fielding errors, including two quick run-outs.
Key Moments
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Early Wickets: Hong Kong dismissed Gurbaz and Zadran to leave Afghanistan at 41/2 after 6 overs.
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Atal’s Resilience: Sediqullah Atal capitalized on three dropped catches to score 73*.
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Omarzai’s Blitz: Azmatullah Omarzai’s 53 off 21 balls shifted momentum decisively.
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Hong Kong’s Collapse: Nine batters in single digits highlighted Afghanistan’s dominance.
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Run-Outs: Omarzai’s sharp fielding contributed to Hong Kong’s batting woes.
Team Lineups Afghanistan: Rashid Khan (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Fareed Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad.
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Bench: Darwish Rasooli, AM Ghazanfar, Karim Janat, Mohammad Ishaq (wk), Naveen-ul-Haq, Sharafuddin Ashraf. Hong Kong: Yasim Murtaza (c), Nizakat Khan, Anshy Rath, Babar Hayat, Zeeshan Ali (wk), Aizaz Khan, Kinchit Shah, Ehsan Khan, Ayush Shukla, Mohammad Waheed, Nasrulla Rana.
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Bench: Martin Coetzee, Ali Hassan, Kalhan Challu, Mohammad Ghazanfar, Shahid Wasif, Ateeq Iqbal.
Match Details
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Venue Conditions: Balanced pitch, assisting pacers and spinners early, with batting easier under lights. Warm and humid (41°C).
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Umpires: Asif Yaqoob, Virender Sharma
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TV Umpire: Faisal Afridi
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Reserve Umpire: Raveendra Wimalasiri
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Match Referee: Richie Richardson
