In the Asia Cup 2025 opening match, Hong Kong bowler Ayush Shukla gave his team an early lead by removing Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Afghanistan’s aggressive opener. In the tournament’s opening match at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan had previously won the toss and chosen to bat, selecting a lineup that was heavy on spin with three spinners.
Shukla, who opened the bowling for Hong Kong, found his groove rapidly. Gurbaz demonstrated early intent in his second over by dancing down the track and lofting a length ball over long-off for a crisp six. But Shukla came up with a fantastic reaction in the following delivery, hitting the opening batsman right away and giving the Yasim Murtaza-led team an early lead.
Gurbaz made a terrible stroke mistime while trying to replicate the prior shot.
He bowled a full ball with a touch of away movement on the very next delivery. Nizakat Khan sprinted back and made a safe reverse-cup catch as the ball bounced off the outer half of his bat and soared high over mid-off. After a fast eight off five balls, Gurbaz left.
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6️⃣ & OUT! ☝️
Hong Kong strike courtesy Ayush, Gurbaz departs 💥Watch #DPWORLDASIACUP2025 – LIVE on #SonyLIV & #SonySportsNetwork TV Channels 📺#AsiaCup #AFGvHKG pic.twitter.com/xtghWrGvnO
— Sony LIV (@SonyLIV) September 9, 2025
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