Asia Cup 2025: Gurbaz’s Blistering Century Powers Afghanistan to Commanding Win Over Hong Kong
The 2025 Men’s T20 Asia Cup kicked off with a spectacular display of power-hitting and clinical bowling as Afghanistan, one of the tournament favorites, decimated Hong Kong by a massive 108-run margin in the first Group B encounter.
In a match that was as one-sided as the scoreline suggests, it was the Rahmanullah Gurbaz show from the very first over. The Afghan wicketkeeper-batsman unleashed a breathtaking assault on the Hong Kong bowlers, setting the stage for a total that was always going to be a mountain too high to climb.
Afghanistan’s Innings: The Gurbaz Onslaught
Opting to bat first, Afghanistan got off to a flyer. The opening pair of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Hazratullah Zazai came out with intent, but it was Gurbaz who shifted gears into overdrive. He treated the bowlers with utter disdain, smashing boundaries all around the park.
Gurbaz’s knock was a masterclass in clean hitting. He reached his fifty in a flash and then accelerated even further, eventually bringing up a magnificent century off just 56 balls. His innings of 110 (off 62 balls), laced with 9 fours and 8 massive sixes, was the cornerstone of Afghanistan’s imposing total of 192/7 in their 20 overs.
While the Hong Kong bowlers struggled for answers, captain Nizakat Khan will be pleased with the fight his team showed in the final few overs, picking up quick wickets to prevent Afghanistan from crossing the 200-run mark. Ehsan Khan was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 3/42.
Hong Kong’s Chase: A Collapse Under Pressure
Facing a daunting target of 193, Hong Kong needed a dream start. What they got, however, was a nightmare. The Afghan pace duo of Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq were simply too hot to handle, swinging the new ball and ripping through the top order.
The pressure of the required run rate mounted instantly, and wickets fell at regular intervals. The introduction of the spin twins, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and the legendary Rashid Khan, was the final nail in the coffin. Rashid, as he so often does, ran through the middle and lower order, finishing with a devastating spell of 4/14 in his 4 overs.
Hong Kong’s innings never found any momentum and they were eventually bundled out for a paltry 84 runs in just 16.2 overs. Only two of their batsmen managed to cross double figures, highlighting the gulf in class between the two sides on the day.
IPL Watch: Stars Shine Bright
For our readers at iplcricketupdate.com, this match was a perfect preview of the star power that illuminates the IPL every year.
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Kolkata Knight Riders): This knock was a stark reminder of his destructive capabilities. KKR fans will be licking their lips at this form.
- Rashid Khan (Gujarat Titans): The magician was at it again. His four-wicket haul, full of googlies and sharp leg-breaks, shows he’s already in tournament mode.
- Fazalhaq Farooqi & Naveen-ul-Haq (Various IPL Teams): Their fiery opening spell demonstrated the depth of Afghanistan’s T20 bowling arsenal, a valuable asset for any IPL franchise.
Player of the Match
There was never any doubt. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was rightly awarded the Player of the Match for his match-defining, whirlwind century.
What’s Next?
Afghanistan have sent a thunderous warning to the other teams in the Asia Cup with this performance. They will be brimming with confidence for their next big clash. Hong Kong, meanwhile, will need to go back to the drawing board and regroup quickly for their next fixture.
Stay tuned to iplcricketupdate.com for all the latest updates, highlights, and analysis from the Asia Cup 2025!
What did you think of Afghanistan’s performance? Are they dark horses for the title? Let us know in the comments below!
