AFG vs HKC | Twitter in splits as wicketkeeper Zeeshan Ali’s advice to Ayush Shukla falls on deaf ears

‌Afghanistan sat in a tricky position after opting to bat at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, with the score reading 119/4 at the end of 16 overs. But Sediqullah Atal, who had already completed his half-century, accelerated the innings with two sixes and a four in a 25-run over off Ateeq Iqbal.

All-rounder Azmatulah Omarzai also joined in with two sixes in the first two balls off Ayush Shukla in the penultimate over. The Afghanistan batter smashed a short ball outside off-stump over long on to resemble a forehand winner in tennis. Off the next ball, he pulled off an unbelievable shot that went over extra cover for a maximum.

Wicketkeeper Zeeshan Ali tried jumping in to help the panicking bowler as he asked Shukla to be calm and think about how he can stop Omarzai’s brutal assault. Shukla was all ears for his advice, but ended up conceding a six and a four in the next two balls. The last boundary also brought his maiden T20I fifty, in just 20 balls.

Twitter was in splits as Zeeshan’s advice fell on deaf ears, though Ayush got his man in the fifth ball of the same over and Afghanistan ended their innings at 188/6.

Bowl with brains

— Why_Benstokes (@benstokes94425) 

Fastest

Fastest Men's T20I fifties for Afghanistan 🇦🇫 (by balls):



20 balls - Azmatullah Omarzai vs Hong Kong 🇭🇰, today

21 balls - Mohammad Nabi vs Ireland 🍀, 2017

21 balls - Gulbadin Naib vs India 🇮🇳, 2025*

— The Stats Kid (@TheStatsKid1523) 

Superb

Azmatullah Omarzai’s superb innings comes to an end in Abu Dhabi.   

— Mir Arsalan (@mirarsalan_02) 

Catching up

Just catching up with the game and it looks like a magnificent batting effort from Afghanistan to post 188. Excellent knock from Sediq and Omarzai. This will truly test HK's batting mettle. 

— Omkar Mankame (@Oam_16) 

Sixes

Most sixes hit by Afghanistan batter while batting at No.6 in T20I



07 - Mohammad Nabi vs BAN, 2019



05 - Karim Janat vs UAE, 2023



05 - Azmatullah Omarzai vs HK, 2025, Today



   

— Vishwesh Gaur (@iumvishwesh) 

Smashed

Azmatullah Omarzai Smashed 53 (21) against Hongkong in 2025 Asia Cup. 

— Manmohan (@GarhManmohan) 

Sueprstar

Azmatullah Omarzai - the superstar of Afghanistan cricket. 👏 

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) 

Batsmen

    is a class batsmen



Now they have



Zardan

Atal

Gurbaz



They need to build 4 and 5



If Omarzai is their consistent number 5



They are set. 

— D’Raz (@drazspeaks) 

Interesting

🚨 Afghanistan vs Hong Kong – Asia Cup 2025 🚨



- Afghanistan posted 188/6 in 20 overs at Abu Dhabi.

- Sediqullah Atal starred with an unbeaten 73 (52).

- Azmatullah Omarzai provided fireworks at the end, smashing 53 off 21 balls. 

— Gyanu Gautam (@gyanudatt8) 

Good one

🚨END OF 1ST INNINGS🚨



Crucial knocks from Sediqullah Atal and Azmatullah Omarzai power Afghanistan to a total of 188/6(20)🇦🇫🔥



Will Hong Kong chase down the target and secure the first win of the Asia Cup 2025?🇭🇰👀 

— The Khel India Cricket (@TKI_Cricket)