Cricket Commentary

AFG VS HK

Match 1, 9-Sep-2025

188/6 20.0 oversRun Rate: 9.4
VS
94/9 20.0 overs Run Rate: 4.7
Afghanistan beat Hong Kong, China by 94 runs
Afghanistan First Innings
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Sediqullah Atal(73 | 52)*
Rashid Khan(3 | 1)
E Khan|4|0|28|1
119.719.6: Ehsan Khan to Sediqullah Atal, Nails in a yorker around middle and leg, does Ehsan. Atal creates room for himself and carves it to the right of the bowler for a single. 9 runs from the final over! AFGHANISTAN FINISH AT 188/6!
7 Over | Run: 188/6 | Run Rate: 9.40
319.619.5: Ehsan Khan to Rashid Khan, Overpitched, outside off. Rashid Khan bends and carves it behind, to the left of short third. Yasim Murtaza from the inner ring gives it a chase as the ball teases him all the way to the ropes. He puts in a dive to flick the ball inside, but in this process, he slides into the ropes with the momentum. Now, the question is whether his right hand is in contact with the ball as he slides into the ropes. But the replay shows that Murtaza has done pretty well to save a run for his side.
019.519.4: Ehsan Khan to Karim Janat, OUT! GONE! CAUGHT! Ehsan Khan finally gets a reward for his miserly bowling. Flatter delivery, full and on the stumps. Karim Janat clears the front leg to sail it over long on, but does not quite properly get his bat under the ball and swings through. Airs the ball off the toe end and it sails only as far as Nizakat Khan stationed at long on. Karim Janat departs on 2 (3) and Afghanistan are 184/6.
019.419.4: Ehsan Khan to Karim Janat, WIDE! Wayward down leg, Karim Janat moves out of the way to leave. Wide called.
119.319.3: Ehsan Khan to Sediqullah Atal, Tossed up, drifting on the leg stump, Atal drives this full ball to the right of long on for an easy single.
219.219.2: Ehsan Khan to Sediqullah Atal, Full and dropped around off, Sediqullah Atal creates room by backing away and smashes it to the left of deep point for a couple of runs.
119.119.1: Ehsan Khan to Karim Janat, Very full, on middle, Janat drills it down to long on for a single.
118.718.6: Ayush Shukla to Karim Janat, Outside leg, a slower ball, at 104.7 kph, Karim Janat clips it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a single. 24 runs off the penultimate over! 35 runs in the last two for Afghanistan!
7 Over | Run: 179/5 | Run Rate: 9.42
018.618.6: Ayush Shukla to Karim Janat, WIDE! Sprayed outside the tramline, on the off side, on a good length. Karim Janat tries to push it away, but misses to lay bat on ball. Wide given!
018.518.5: Ayush Shukla to Azmatullah Omarzai, OUT! HIGH UP AND GONE! TAKEN! Ayush Shukla gets his second wicket and is pumped up to bits! Another slower delivery, outside the off stump, on a fuller length. Azmatullah Omarzai swings for the hills, to go up and over the leg side, but gets beaten by the lack of pace. Is through his shot early, and toe ends it high up in the air. The ball hangs up for an eternity, toward long on. Aizaz Khan from the deep runs in a few yards, locks his eyes on the ball and takes a well-judged catch. Azmatullah Omarzai departs for a blistering 53 off just 21 deliveries. Afghanistan are 177/5 in 18.5 overs.
418.418.4: Ayush Shukla to Azmatullah Omarzai, FOUR! Deftly played! MAIDEN T20I FIFTY FOR OMARZAI! Off just 20 deliveries! Ayush Shukla slips in a full toss, from around the stumps, on middle. Azmatullah Omarzai stands upright, just arches back and opens the bat face very late. Pins the gap between the keeper and the short third fielder for a boundary.  This is deemed a fair delivery as it is clearly below waist height. Also, this is the fastest fifty by any Afghan batter, in terms of balls played.
618.318.3: Ayush Shukla to Azmatullah Omarzai, SIX! HAT TRICK OF SIXES FOR AZMAT! This is now his highest score in T20Is! Off cutter, into the pitch, outside off. Azmatullah Omarzai has all the time to wait back, and heave it over deep mid-wicket for another half a dozen runs! Hong Kong, China bleeding runs at the death!
618.218.2: Ayush Shukla to Azmatullah Omarzai, SIX! Fabulous ball-striking! Fuller now from Ayush, just around off. Azmatullah Omarzai clears the front leg and swings through the line. Cleanly hits it over deep cover for a 90-meter six.
618.118.1: Ayush Shukla to Azmatullah Omarzai, SIX! HUGE STRIKE! Slower delivery, on top of middle, on the shorter side. Azmatullah Omarzai charges down the track, creates room and flat bats it down the ground for a powerful six.
117.617.6: Ehsan Khan to Azmatullah Omarzai, Too full, on middle, Azmatullah Omarzai smashes it down to long off for a single. 11 off this over. 36 from the last two overs for the Afghans!
6 Over | Run: 155/4 | Run Rate: 8.61
017.517.5: Ehsan Khan to Azmatullah Omarzai, Yorker, just outside the off pole. Azmatullah Omarzai swings with all his might, but gets beaten on the outside edge.
617.417.4: Ehsan Khan to Azmatullah Omarzai, SIX! Rubbing salt on wounds! On a length, on middle, Azmatullah Omarzai heaves it powerfully, across the line, and behind deep mid-wicket for a huge six.
217.317.3: Ehsan Khan to Azmatullah Omarzai, DROPPED ONCE AGAIN! Oh, dear me! Floated full and on middle. Azmatullah Omarzai tries to clear long off, but mistimes it in the air. The ball dips in front of long off. The fielder runs in a few yards, dives forward but puts it down. Two taken.
117.217.2: Ehsan Khan to Sediqullah Atal, Bowled into the batter, full and on leg, Sediqullah Atal charges down the track and drills it to the right of long on for a single.
117.117.1: Ehsan Khan to Azmatullah Omarzai, Fuller delivery, outside off, sliced over mid off for a single. The 50-run partnership is up between these two as well!
416.816.6: Ateeq Iqbal to Sediqullah Atal, FOUR! Around off, slipped as a full toss. Sediqullah Atal sits across and takes it on the full. Sweeps it behind square on the leg side for a boundary. This is Sediqullah Atal's highest T20I score now. A very expensive one from Ateeq Iqbal. 25 runs off this over! His figures read 3-1-32-1.
8 Over | Run: 144/4 | Run Rate: 8.47
016.716.6: Ateeq Iqbal to Sediqullah Atal, WIDE! Full and outside off, in fact, outside the guideline. Wide called.
016.616.6: Ateeq Iqbal to Azmatullah Omarzai, Sloppy! Miles outside off, beyond the tramline on a length. Omarzai lets it be. The ball pops off from the keeper's gloves and drops behind, to the left of short third. They cross.
116.516.5: Ateeq Iqbal to Sediqullah Atal, Spots Atal shuffling across off, Iqbal throws it wide outside off, on a fullish length. Atal carves it to deep point for a single.
616.416.4: Ateeq Iqbal to Sediqullah Atal, SIX! This is brilliant batting! He has switched the gears now! Good length, on the off stump line. Sediqullah Atal covers the stumps by shuffling across, and pulls it handsomely over deep mid-wicket for a cracking six!
616.316.3: Ateeq Iqbal to Sediqullah Atal, SIX! That has traveled a good distance! On middle and leg, on a good length. Sediqullah Atal picks it up nicely and heaves it behind deep square leg for a huge six.
116.216.2: Ateeq Iqbal to Azmatullah Omarzai, Full, around off, slogged to deep mid-wicket for a single.
416.116.1: Ateeq Iqbal to Azmatullah Omarzai, FOUR! Back of a length, outside off. Azmatullah Omarzai stays back and cuts it powerfully to the left of backward point for a boundary. 
015.615.6: Yasim Murtaza to Sediqullah Atal, DROPPED! Ehsan Khan is the culprit as he drops an absolute sitter. Points out the floodlights coming into his sight. Sediqullah Atal, on 51, has been dropped twice now. This is full and on the stumps, Sediqullah Atal switches his stance to play the reverse sweep, but is through his shot very early. Only manages to get a leading edge towards short third. Ehsan Khan misjudges the trajectory as the ball swirls onto him and just puts it down. 
6 Over | Run: 119/4 | Run Rate: 7.44
015.515.5: Yasim Murtaza to Sediqullah Atal, Too full, at 86 kph, on middle, shoveled back to the bowler by Sediqullah.
115.415.4: Yasim Murtaza to Azmatullah Omarzai, Drags the length back, on off, Omarzai works it to the right of the diving bowler for a single.
615.315.3: Yasim Murtaza to Azmatullah Omarzai, SIX! Gets all of it! Dropped full and sliding into the batter. Azmatullah Omarzai reads the length early, gets down on his knee and slogs it powerfully behind deep mid-wicket for half a dozen runs!
115.215.2: Yasim Murtaza to Sediqullah Atal, In-drifter, full and on middle. Sediqullah Atal skips down the track and drills it down to long on for a single.
115.115.1: Yasim Murtaza to Azmatullah Omarzai, On a length, slower on middle. Azmatullah Omarzai hangs back and tucks it across to deep mid-wicket for an easy single.
214.614.6: Kinchit Shah to Sediqullah Atal, FIFTY FOR SEDIQULLAH ATAL! His 3rd T20I half-century! This is flat and quick, outside off, on a length. Sediqullah Atal rocks back and cuts it off the back foot to deep extra cover for a couple of runs. A fifty off 41 deliveries. Offered a reprieve in the very first over, he has adjusted to the conditions nicely and will aim to bat till the end.
6 Over | Run: 110/4 | Run Rate: 7.33
014.514.5: Kinchit Shah to Sediqullah Atal, At 86 kph, full and outside off. This one spins in a touch and beats the inside edge of Atal who looks to cut it away.
214.414.4: Kinchit Shah to Sediqullah Atal, Miles outside off, full in length. Sediqullah Atal leans forward, reaches for it and drives through cover for a couple of runs.
114.314.3: Kinchit Shah to Azmatullah Omarzai, On the shorter side over off, relatively quicker, Azmatullah Omarzai backs away and slaps it past the bowler down towards long off for a run.
214.214.2: Kinchit Shah to Azmatullah Omarzai, Dragged down length and outside off, Azmatullah Omarzai presses back and cuts it behind square on the off side for a couple of more runs. The sweeper cover fielder now runs to his left to collect the ball.
214.114.1: Kinchit Shah to Azmatullah Omarzai, Spears it fuller and outside off, Azmatullah Omarzai leans forward to drive it past covers to the right of sweeper cover for a couple of runs.
113.613.6: Yasim Murtaza to Azmatullah Omarzai, On middle and leg, knocked across to deep mid-wicket for a single. Just 6 singles off the over.
6 Over | Run: 101/4 | Run Rate: 7.21
113.513.5: Yasim Murtaza to Sediqullah Atal, DROPPED! Almost a chance! Yasim Murtaza bowls a top-spin, around off, spinning in from a length. The ball kicks up a bit and takes Atal aback. Sediqullah Atal is neither on the back foot, nor does he commit on the front foot. Just gets stuck in the crease and chips it over the bowler. Yasim Murtaza leaps on the left shoulder, stretches his left hand up, and even gets fingertips on the ball, but it deflects and runs behind, to the left of mid off. They cross. 100 UP FOR AFGHANISTAN!
113.413.4: Yasim Murtaza to Azmatullah Omarzai, Drifting onto the pads, on a length, Azmatullah Omarzai hangs back and tucks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
113.313.3: Yasim Murtaza to Sediqullah Atal, Quicker one, fuller and around the pads, Sediqullah Atal tucks it away through mid-wicket for a run.
113.213.2: Yasim Murtaza to Azmatullah Omarzai, Fuller and just outside off, Azmatullah Omarzai drops it in front of backward point with soft hands and scrampers to the other end.
113.113.1: Yasim Murtaza to Sediqullah Atal, Floated, full and around off, turns into the batter, Atal goes towards the pitch of the delivery and turns it through mid-wicket for a single.
012.612.6: Kinchit Shah to Gulbadin Naib, OUT! STRAIGHT UP AND TAKEN! Excellent spin bowling from Hong Kong, China. Kinchit Shah gets his second wicket and this is a huge one in the game's context! Kinchit dishes out a fuller delivery, from around-the-wicket angle. Lands it around off, sliding across the batter, but very slow through the air. Gulbadin Naib gets lured in the flight, does not get to the pitch of the ball and tries to tonk it over the bowler. Gets deceived by the lack of pace, and only manages to slice it over mid off. Yasim Murtaza from mid off, moves to his right and takes an easy catch. Gulbadin Naib departs for 5 (8) and Afghanistan are 95/4.
6 Over | Run: 95/4 | Run Rate: 7.31
112.512.5: Kinchit Shah to Sediqullah Atal, Far from off, full in length. Sediqullah Atal extends his arms and drives it through wide mid off for a single.
612.412.4: Kinchit Shah to Sediqullah Atal, SIX! PUNISHED! Shah bowls a quicker delivery, at 94 kph, on a length, around off. Sediqullah Atal reads the length quickly, rocks back and pulls it behind deep mid-wicket for a cracking six. Moves to 40s, does Sediqullah Atal!
112.312.3: Kinchit Shah to Gulbadin Naib, On the shorter side and around off, Naib goes back and strokes it down to long on for a single.
112.212.2: Kinchit Shah to Sediqullah Atal, IN THE AIR... LANDS SAFE. Bowls it slower again and gives the flight. Atal jumps down the track and mistimes it aerially towards long off, where the fielder collects it on a bounce. One run taken.
012.112.1: Kinchit Shah to Sediqullah Atal, Loopy delivery, full and outside off, Atal steps out to go big but ekes out an inside edge back onto his pads.
111.611.6: Yasim Murtaza to Sediqullah Atal, Tosses it up, full and just outside off, Atal caresses it through cover for a single.
6 Over | Run: 86/3 | Run Rate: 7.17
011.511.5: Yasim Murtaza to Sediqullah Atal, Slower through the air, full and on off, Atal walks forward and looks to drive it on the leg side, but gets a leading edge towards backward point. Sniffs a single, but is sent back by Naib on a sharp call.
111.411.4: Yasim Murtaza to Gulbadin Naib, Looped up, on a length, on off. Gulbadin Naib hangs deep in the crease and nudges it to deep square leg for an easy single.
011.311.3: Yasim Murtaza to Gulbadin Naib, A touch shorter and just outside off, Naib chops it towards backward point for no run.
011.211.2: Yasim Murtaza to Gulbadin Naib, Tossed up, right at the middle, Gulbadin Naib lunges forward to defend it out.
111.111.1: Yasim Murtaza to Sediqullah Atal, Bowls it quicker and flatter over off, Atal taps it down the deck on the leg side and takes a quick eun
010.610.6: Kinchit Shah to Gulbadin Naib, Fuller delivery, just around middle and leg, Gulbadin Naib pushes it to the right of the bowler.
6 Over | Run: 83/3 | Run Rate: 7.55
110.510.5: Kinchit Shah to Sediqullah Atal, Good length, on middle and leg, nudged into the leg side for a single.
210.410.4: Kinchit Shah to Sediqullah Atal, DIRECT HIT, BUT SAFE! Pretty casual running this. Fuller delivery, around off, turning away off the pitch. Sediqullah drives it along the ground and with the spin to deep cover and calls his partner through for the second run. The fielder mops it up in the deep, and releases the throw toward the batter's end and scores a direct hit. The side-on replay shows that Atal is just in time, dragging the bat in, before the sticks are hit.
110.310.3: Kinchit Shah to Gulbadin Naib, Around the stumps, the length is dragged back, on the leg stump line. Gulbadin Naib works it wide of mid-wicket for a single.
210.210.2: Kinchit Shah to Gulbadin Naib, Floated full and on the stumps, Naib leans forward and flicks it through the vacant mid-wicket region for a couple of runs.
010.110.1: Kinchit Shah to Mohammad Nabi, OUT! CAUGHT! Kinchit Shah strikes off his first delivery! He pushes it quicker across the air, bowls it on a nagging length and outside off. Mohammad Nabi backs away and swings through to clear the long off fielder. But fails to get the desired connection on that, as he holes out to an easy catch for Nizakat Khan at long off, who comes forward a bit to grab it. Mohammad Nabi walks back after scoring 33 (26), and the budding 51-run stand has been broken now.
09.79.6: Yasim Murtaza to Sediqullah Atal, Slower through the air, full and on off, Sediqullah Atal only manages to knock it the right of the bowler.
7 Over | Run: 77/2 | Run Rate: 7.70
19.69.5: Yasim Murtaza to Mohammad Nabi, NOT OUT! Much better effort in the field from Hong Kong, China! Floated, full and on off, Mohammad Nabi pushes it wide of extra covers and sets off for the run, his partner responds too. However, the fielder makes a fine one-handed stop diving to his right, and the batters hesitate a bit, seeing that. The fielder throws it at the keeper's end, but it is just a bit wide, as Zeeshan Ali collects and breaks the stumps. The throw is wide enough for Atal to drag his bat inside the crease. The replay confirms the same!
19.59.4: Yasim Murtaza to Sediqullah Atal, Tossed up, full and on off, Sediqullah Atal eases it to long on for another run. That also brings up the 50-RUN STAND between these two batters.
09.49.4: Yasim Murtaza to Sediqullah Atal, WIDE! Goes quicker, short but way outside off, Sediqullah Atal fails to cut it away. Called a wide.
09.39.3: Yasim Murtaza to Sediqullah Atal, Nicely bowled! Tosses it up at the stumps, slower through the air, Atal looks to turn that across, but gets a leading edge all along back towards the bowler.
19.29.2: Yasim Murtaza to Mohammad Nabi, A bit fuller and straighter at the stumps, Nabi backs away on the leg side and cuts it firmly towards deep point for a single.
19.19.1: Yasim Murtaza to Sediqullah Atal, On the shorter side and around off, Sediqullah Atal gets back and chops it to deep point for a run.
08.78.6: Aizaz Khan to Mohammad Nabi, Half a chance! On a length and on off, Mohammad Nabi looks to push it away but gets an outside edge towards short third. Nabi sets off for the run but is sent back, and he hesitates a bit. The fielder picks up but misses his shy at the batter's end, with Nabi putting in a desperate dive.
7 Over | Run: 72/2 | Run Rate: 8.00
08.68.6: Aizaz Khan to Mohammad Nabi, WIDE! Short of a length and well outside off, shapes further away, Mohammad Nabi throws his bat at it but fails to connect. Wided.
48.58.5: Aizaz Khan to Mohammad Nabi, FOUR! Nicely done! Good length and just on off, Mohammad Nabi lets it come to him and uses the pace on the ball to steer it wide of short third. The fielder dives to his right to stop it with one hand, but lets it through for a boundary. They need to do better in the field.
18.48.4: Aizaz Khan to Sediqullah Atal, Pitched up and around off, Sediqullah Atal drives it through covers for a run.
08.38.3: Aizaz Khan to Sediqullah Atal, Keeps it on a good length outside off and gets the ball to shape away a bit off the deck. Atal looks to push it away on the off side, but gets beaten on the outside edge comprehensively.
18.28.2: Aizaz Khan to Mohammad Nabi, Goes fuller on middle this time, Nabi strokes it down to long off for a single.
48.18.1: Aizaz Khan to Mohammad Nabi, FOUR! Authoritative from Mr. President! Bowls the shorter length and gives too much width outside off. Mohammad Nabi hangs back to slap it over cover for a boundary.
17.67.6: Ehsan Khan to Mohammad Nabi, Dragged down and on off, Mohammad Nabi stays back and stabs it out through extra covers for one. Another quiet over from Ehsan Khan!
6 Over | Run: 61/2 | Run Rate: 7.63
07.57.5: Ehsan Khan to Mohammad Nabi, Good fielding! Short and around off, Mohammad Nabi punches it wide of short covers, where the fielder dives to his right to stop the single.
07.47.4: Ehsan Khan to Mohammad Nabi, Flatter, shortish and on leg, Mohammad Nabi stays back to push it away but gets an inside edge towards short mid-wicket.
07.37.3: Ehsan Khan to Sediqullah Atal, Tad shorter and around the batters, Sediqullah Atal looks to turn that across on the leg side, but the ball beats the inside edge to hit him on the pads and dribble towards short fine leg for a leg bye.
17.27.2: Ehsan Khan to Mohammad Nabi, Shorter and around middle, turning into the batter, Nabi nudges it across to square leg for a run.
27.17.1: Ehsan Khan to Mohammad Nabi, Lands it fuller and over off, Nabi backs away and cuts it towards deep point for a single. The fielder at the deep fails to collect it neatly, which allows the batter to take the second run as well.
06.76.6: Aizaz Khan to Sediqullah Atal, BEATEN! Change of pace, full and around off, Sediqullah Atal looks to go for the big booming drive but gets beaten on the outside edge. 15 runs from Aizaz's first over then!
7 Over | Run: 56/2 | Run Rate: 8.00
16.66.5: Aizaz Khan to Mohammad Nabi, Pitched up and on off, Mohammad Nabi drives it towards long off for a single.
66.56.4: Aizaz Khan to Mohammad Nabi, SIX! Mr. President changing gears now! Fuller in length and around off, pace on this time. Mohammad Nabi backs away a bit, extends his arms to reach out and dispatches it with ease over the long off fence for a biggie. 50 up for Afghanistan!
46.46.3: Aizaz Khan to Mohammad Nabi, FOUR! Put away nicely! Aizaz Khan bowls the off-cutter and keeps it on a length around off. Mohammad Nabi reads the pace well this time and extends his arms, lofts it up and over the cover fielder for four runs.
26.36.2: Aizaz Khan to Mohammad Nabi, Hurls it on a length and around off, Nabi stands tall to punch it to wide of covers and comes back for the second run.
06.26.2: Aizaz Khan to Mohammad Nabi, WIDE! Errs in the line, bowls it down the leg stump, on a length. Nabi misses to flick on that. Wided.
16.16.1: Aizaz Khan to Sediqullah Atal, Khan starts off with a fuller delivery outside off, Sediqullah Atal drives it firmly towards long off and takes a run.
15.65.6: Ehsan Khan to Sediqullah Atal, Flatter, full and on leg, Sediqullah Atal tucks it through mid-wicket for one. Only 4 runs off the over. Afghanistan are 41/2 at the end of the Powerplay!
6 Over | Run: 41/2 | Run Rate: 6.83
05.55.5: Ehsan Khan to Sediqullah Atal, Looped up, full and around off, Sediqullah Atal drills it hard but straight to extra covers.
15.45.4: Ehsan Khan to Mohammad Nabi, Fuller and on leg, Mohammad Nabi clips it through square leg for a single.
05.35.3: Ehsan Khan to Mohammad Nabi, Keeps it flatter and wider outside off, Nabi looks to poke at it away from the body, but gets beaten on the outside edge.
05.25.2: Ehsan Khan to Mohammad Nabi, DROPPED? A tough chance though! Ehsan Khan bowls it quicker and flatter around middle and leg, Nabi backs away to play it on the off side, but he is cramped up for space as the ball nips in a touch to take a thick inside edge. The keeper behind fails to collect this neatly on his left, as the ball hits him on his thigh and rolls toward the leg side. 
25.15.1: Ehsan Khan to Mohammad Nabi, Follows the batter, and bowls it tad fuller, Nabi just drops it near the vacant mid-wicket region and runs a couple.
14.74.6: Ayush Shukla to Mohammad Nabi, Pulls his length back a bit, on middle, Mohammad Nabi pats it to the left of mid on for one more.
7 Over | Run: 37/2 | Run Rate: 7.40
14.64.5: Ayush Shukla to Sediqullah Atal, Takes pace off, full and on off, Sediqullah Atal just checks his drive at the last moment as the ball rolls towards mid off. They cross.
24.54.4: Ayush Shukla to Sediqullah Atal, Pitched up and on middle, shaping in, Sediqullah Atal tucks it away nicely towards the deep mid-wicket region for a couple of runs. Could have been three, but the batters are happy with the double.
14.44.3: Ayush Shukla to Mohammad Nabi, Tap and run! Good length and on off, Mohammad Nabi taps it in front of short covers for a quick run.
14.34.2: Ayush Shukla to Sediqullah Atal, On a length and on middle, angling in, Sediqullah Atal steps across and knocks it towards mid on for a single.
44.24.1: Ayush Shukla to Sediqullah Atal, FOUR! Nice shot! Full again but around off this time, Sediqullah Atal leans on a bit and drills it past the diving mid off fielder for a boundary. His fifth already.
04.14.1: Ayush Shukla to Sediqullah Atal, WIDE! Errs in line a bit and serves this full but down the leg side, Sediqullah Atal misses his flick. Wided.
03.63.6: Ateeq Iqbal to Mohammad Nabi, Full again and on middle, attacks the stumps, Mohammad Nabi knocks it to mid on. A WICKET-MAIDEN OVER!
6 Over | Run: 26/2 | Run Rate: 6.50
03.53.5: Ateeq Iqbal to Mohammad Nabi, Touch fuller and on middle, shaping in a long way, Mohammad Nabi fails to flick it away as the ball lobs up off his pads to the leg side.
03.43.4: Ateeq Iqbal to Mohammad Nabi, On a length and on middle, Mohammad Nabi pushes it towards cover.
03.33.3: Ateeq Iqbal to Mohammad Nabi, Almost another! Back of a length and outside off, Mohammad Nabi has a nibble at it but misses.
03.23.2: Ateeq Iqbal to Ibrahim Zadran, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! This is a dream start for Hong Kong, China! Ateeq Iqbal strikes now and gets the in-form batter here. He lands this on a good length and around off again, shapes away a bit. Ibrahim Zadran gets tempted and goes for the big drive on the up, but only manages to get a thin outside edge behind, where Zeeshan Ali takes a sharp catch to his right. It is even better as he is standing up to the stumps. Never easy to pluck those catches. Zadran walks back for 1 off 4, and Afghanistan are 26/2 now!
03.13.1: Ateeq Iqbal to Ibrahim Zadran, Fuller in length and around off, Ibrahim Zadran reaches out but mistimes his drive towards extra covers.
02.62.6: Ayush Shukla to Sediqullah Atal, Another full delivery, on off, Sediqullah Atal drives it firmly but fails to beat short covers. Excellent comeback from Shukla after getting hit for a six on the first ball. It ends with just 7 runs and a big wicket.
6 Over | Run: 26/1 | Run Rate: 8.67
02.52.5: Ayush Shukla to Sediqullah Atal, Slower one, full and on off, Sediqullah Atal pushes it straight to short covers.
12.42.4: Ayush Shukla to Ibrahim Zadran, Pitched up and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran works it wide of mid on for a single.
02.32.3: Ayush Shukla to Ibrahim Zadran, On a length and on off, Ibrahim Zadran blocks it out.
02.22.2: Ayush Shukla to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, OUT! TAKEN! Rahmanullah Gurbaz tries to go big again, but holes out instead! Ayush Shukla gets a big breakthrough for Hong Kong, China. Shukla just rolls his finger and bowls the off-cutter, full and around off. Gurbaz comes down the track again to loft it down the ground. However, this time he doesn't quite get to the pitch and goes through the shot very early as well. Gets a bit of a top edge as the ball flies high in the air behind mid off. Nizakat Khan tracks backwards a bit, settles under it, and takes a nice reverse cup catch. Gurbaz's lean patch continues, as he departs for 8 (5) and Afghanistan are 25/1!
62.12.1: Ayush Shukla to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, SIX! BANG! Rahmanullah Gurbaz joins the party now! Fuller in length and on off, Gurbaz skips down the track to get closer to the pitch of the ball. Swings through the line and lofts it beautifully over the long off fence for a biggie.
11.61.6: Ateeq Iqbal to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Still some movement out there! Much fuller and on middle, shapes away a touch, Rahmanullah Gurbaz looks to work it across the line but closes his bat face early. Gets a leading edge along the ground towards point for one.
6 Over | Run: 19/0 | Run Rate: 9.50
01.51.5: Ateeq Iqbal to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Short of a length and outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz tries to cut it away but misses.
11.41.4: Ateeq Iqbal to Sediqullah Atal, Length again and on off, Sediqullah Atal steers it towards backward point for a run.
41.31.3: Ateeq Iqbal to Sediqullah Atal, FOUR! Just wide! Back of a length and just around off, Sediqullah Atal frees his arm and smashes it but does not keep it down. The fielder at short covers thinks he has a chance, but the ball flies well to the right of him and to the fence for a boundary. 
01.21.2: Ateeq Iqbal to Sediqullah Atal, On a length and around off, Sediqullah Atal opens the face of his bat and guides it to point.
11.11.1: Ateeq Iqbal to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ateeq Iqbal begins with a good-length delivery, on middle and leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz nudges it towards square leg for a single and gets underway.
40.60.6: Ayush Shukla to Sediqullah Atal, FOUR! Gets it away again! Pulls his length back a bit, but angling down the leg side again. Sediqullah Atal flicks it away with fine timing through short fine leg. The fielder there makes a mess of an easy stop, parries the ball behind, gives chase, and the ball teases him all the way, but just to beat his dive and win the race to the fence. 12 runs off the first over!
6 Over | Run: 12/0 | Run Rate: 12.00
40.50.5: Ayush Shukla to Sediqullah Atal, FOUR! Salt to the wounds! Pitched up and on middle, angles in a bit, Sediqullah Atal shows the full face of the bat and just chips it over mid on for another boudnary.
00.40.4: Ayush Shukla to Sediqullah Atal, EDGED BUT DROPPED! A huge chance goes begging here! And it is the skipper himself who has shelled a regulation chance early doors. Ayush Shukla lands this on a good length and on the fifth stump line, straightens a bit after hitting the deck. Sediqullah Atal has a tentative push at it but gets a thick outside edge towards first slip. Yasim Murtaza dives to his right, but does not even manage to get his hands on it as the ball hits his body and spills out. Atal gets a life! Ayush, understandably, is not pleased one bit.
00.30.3: Ayush Shukla to Sediqullah Atal, Touch slower, on a length, shaping in sharply, Sediqullah Atal looks to clip it away but gets a slight inside edge onto his pads as the ball rolls towards the vacant silly mid on region. Atal wants the run but is sent back.
00.20.2: Ayush Shukla to Sediqullah Atal, Much better! Goes fuller and on off, shaping in, Sediqullah Atal looks to drive it away but gets an inside edge towards mid-wicket.
40.10.1: Ayush Shukla to Sediqullah Atal, FOUR! Gets off the mark in fine fashion! Ayush Shukla starts with a back-of-a-length delivery, angling down the leg side. Sediqullah Atal accepts the gift with both hands and helps it on its way past short fine for a boundary.
Hong Kong, China Second Innings
▲
Ayush Shukla(1 | 2)*
Ateeq Iqbal(1 | 3)
F Farooqi|3|0|16|2
019.619.6: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Ayush Shukla, Nope, they can't! Fazalhaq Farooqi lands this short of a length and outside off, Ayush Shukla slashes at it but misses it completely. AFGHANISTAN WIN BY 94 RUNS!
6 Over | Run: 94/9 | Run Rate: 4.70
119.519.5: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Ateeq Iqbal, Change of pace again, on a length and on middle, Ateeq Iqbal makes room and guides it to third man for one. Can Hong Kong, China, at least get to a 100 here?
019.419.4: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Ateeq Iqbal, Bangs in a short ball, outside off, Ateeq Iqbal has a wild swing at it but misses.
019.319.3: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Ateeq Iqbal, Back of a length and around off,  Ateeq Iqbal backs away and steers it to point.
019.219.2: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Ehsan Khan, OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Hong Kong, China are on the verge of getting bowled out here. Fazal gives no pace again, on a length and on middle, sticks to the surface. Ehsan Khan uses his feet to play at it with hard hands but ends up just chipping it back towards the bowler. Farooqi on his follow-through, gets down quickly and takes a good catch with the ball dying in front of him. Hong Kong, China are 93/9 now!
019.119.1: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Ehsan Khan, Slower one, on a length and on off, Ehsan Khan keeps it out down the pitch.
118.718.6: Gulbadin Naib to Ehsan Khan, A full toss, on middle, Ehsan Khan steps across and clips it off the inner half of the bat onto the pads as the ball rolls towards square leg. They cross. There is also an appeal for LBW, but nothing doing.
7 Over | Run: 93/8 | Run Rate: 4.89
118.618.5: Gulbadin Naib to Ayush Shukla, Pitched up and on off, swings in a bit, Ayush Shukla forces it to long on for one.
018.518.4: Gulbadin Naib to Yasim Murtaza, OUT! LBW! Gulbadin Naib has two now! He cleverly takes all the pace off and bowls a leg-cutter, full and on middle, spins in a bit too. Yasim Murtaza crouches low to swipe across the line but gets beaten by the lack of pace and goes decades early through the shot. The ball thumps him on the back thigh right in front of the stumps. There is a big appeal, and the finger goes up. However, Murtaza takes a review here, but UltraEdge confirms no bat involved, and Ball Tracking comes up with three reds. Hong Kong, China lose their skipper, a review, and are eight down now.
018.418.4: Gulbadin Naib to Yasim Murtaza, WIDE! Fuller but down the leg side, Yasim Murtaza fails to lay a bat on that. Called a wide.
018.318.3: Gulbadin Naib to Yasim Murtaza, Swing and a miss! Hits the length hard, on middle, skids through. Yasim Murtaza uses his feet to heave it over mid-wicket but misses as the ball just goes over the stumps.
118.218.2: Gulbadin Naib to Ehsan Khan, Back of a length and on off, Ehsan Khan moves across, rides the bounce and dabs it towards covers for a single.
018.118.1: Gulbadin Naib to Ehsan Khan, Fuller and on middle, angling in sharply, Ehsan Khan pats it to the right of the bowler.
017.717.6: Noor Ahmad to Yasim Murtaza, Noor Ahmad ends with incredible figures of 4-0-16-1! Floated, full and on off, turns in sharply, Yasim Murtaza prods forward to defend but misses and gets hit high on the pads.
7 Over | Run: 89/7 | Run Rate: 4.94
417.617.5: Noor Ahmad to Yasim Murtaza, FOUR! That's a fine shot! Tossed up, full and around off, Yasim Murtaza uses his feet to go inside out and slaps it over extra cover for a boundary.
017.517.5: Noor Ahmad to Yasim Murtaza, WIDE! Darts one full but down the leg side, Yasim Murtaza misses his sweep. Wided.
117.417.4: Noor Ahmad to Ehsan Khan, Wrong' un, full and on off, turns away, Ehsan Khan guides it to point for a run.
017.317.3: Noor Ahmad to Ehsan Khan, Flighted, full and on leg, Ehsan Khan swipes it straight to short fine.
017.217.2: Noor Ahmad to Ehsan Khan, Flatter, shortish and on middle and off, Ehsan Khan goes down across to sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads as the ball lobs up onto his helmet. A big shout for LBW, but turned down.
117.117.1: Noor Ahmad to Yasim Murtaza, Fires in a yorker, on middle, Yasim Murtaza bunts it out towards long on for a single.
016.616.6: Rashid Khan to Ehsan Khan, Googly, short and on off, turns in, Ehsan Khan tries to cut but gets an outside edge on a couple of bounces to short third. Rashid Khan finishes his spell with fine figures of 4-0-24-1.
6 Over | Run: 82/7 | Run Rate: 4.82
116.516.5: Rashid Khan to Yasim Murtaza, Quicker, short and on leg, Yasim Murtaza swipes it off the inside half of the bat towards deep square leg for one.
116.416.4: Rashid Khan to Ehsan Khan, Flighted, full and on off, Ehsan Khan pushes it towards covers for a single.
216.316.3: Rashid Khan to Ehsan Khan, Flatter, full and on middle, Ehsan Khan goes down and paddles it towards fine leg for a brace.
016.216.2: Rashid Khan to Aizaz Khan, OUT! TAKEN! Another one bites the dust! Rashid Khan gets his first wicket in his last over. He tosses it up, full and on middle, turns away a bit. Aizaz Khan looks to slog it across the line, but the ball just holds on the surface and takes the top edge. It goes miles in the air towards long on. Mohammad Nabi runs forward a bit too much at first, but then adjusts well and takes a good catch with a reverse cap above his head. Keeps his balance nicely too. Afghanistan are just 3 wickets away from winning now!
016.116.1: Rashid Khan to Aizaz Khan, Floated, short and on off, Aizaz Khan stays back and pushes it to short covers.
115.715.6: Noor Ahmad to Aizaz Khan, Tossed up, full and on middle, Aizaz Khan goes down and swipes it to deep mid-wicket for one more.
7 Over | Run: 78/6 | Run Rate: 4.88
115.615.5: Noor Ahmad to Yasim Murtaza, Flighted, full and outside off, Yasim Murtaza goes after it but ends up slicing it in the air. 'Catch it' is the call, but it drops well wide of deep point. They cross.
115.515.4: Noor Ahmad to Aizaz Khan, A googly, shortish and on off, Aizaz Khan stabs it out to deep point for a single.
015.415.3: Noor Ahmad to Yasim Murtaza, Floated, full and around leg, Yasim Murtaza is out of his crease again but misses his flick as the ball goes off his pads towards square leg. A leg bye taken.
015.315.2: Noor Ahmad to Yasim Murtaza, Slows it up, full and on middle and off, Yasim Murtaza comes down the track to block it out.
015.215.1: Noor Ahmad to Yasim Murtaza, DROPPED! That goes really fast but still should have been taken! Floated, full and on off, Yasim Murtaza uses his feet and carves it hard and aerially towards short covers. It is hit straight and flat to Rashid Khan, who fails to react quickly. gets both his hands on it near his chest but spills it out.
015.115.1: Noor Ahmad to Yasim Murtaza, WIDE! Oh..wow! What was that? Noor Ahmad tries to bowl quicker and flatter but the ball gets stuck in his hand. He serves this way, way outside leg. Yasim Murtaza leaves it alone, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz does well to dive to his right to stop it well. Wided.
114.614.6: Rashid Khan to Yasim Murtaza, Wrong'un, full and on leg, Yasim Murtaza uses his feet and works it towards long on for one more. 
6 Over | Run: 73/6 | Run Rate: 4.87
114.514.5: Rashid Khan to Aizaz Khan, Goes short and on middle, Aizaz Khan heaves it to deep mid-wicket for one.
014.414.4: Rashid Khan to Aizaz Khan, Another loud appeal for LBW, but turned down again! This is a googly, full and on middle, turns in a bit. Aizaz Khan looks to flick it away but misses and gets hit on the pads. Probably turning a bit too much here.
114.314.3: Rashid Khan to Yasim Murtaza, Pushed through, on the stumps, spinning away. Yasim Murtaza pushes hard at it, but inside edges it past the stumps towards backward square leg. A single taken.
114.214.2: Rashid Khan to Aizaz Khan, On the shorter side again and outside off, Aizaz Khan punches it down to long off for a single.
114.114.1: Rashid Khan to Yasim Murtaza, Drops it short and just outside off, Yasim Murtaza cuts it hard towards deep point for a single.
113.613.6: Karim Janat to Yasim Murtaza, Hard length and on middle, angling in, Yasim Murtaza works it through square leg for one more. Much better from Janat, concedes just 5 runs in this over!
6 Over | Run: 68/6 | Run Rate: 4.86
113.513.5: Karim Janat to Aizaz Khan, Bangs in a bouncer, outside off, Aizaz Khan drags his pull off the bottom end towards deep mid-wicket for one.
113.413.4: Karim Janat to Yasim Murtaza, Short of a length and around off, Yasim Murtaza pulls it on the bounce to deep square leg for another run.
113.313.3: Karim Janat to Aizaz Khan, Bashes the hard length, around middle and off, Aizaz Khan swipes it towards square leg and scampers to the other end.
113.213.2: Karim Janat to Yasim Murtaza, Hurls it on a shorter length around off, Yasim Murtaza punches it off the back foot across on the leg side for a single.
013.113.1: Karim Janat to Yasim Murtaza, A huge shout for LBW, but turned down by the umpire and Rashid Khan has decided to send it upstairs! Karim Janat bowls it from round the wicket and keeps it on a length over off. Yasim Murtaza gets squared up a bit to flick that across off the back foot but gets pinged on the back leg. There is nothing on the UltraEdge, but the Ball Tracking shows impact outside off, so the NOT OUT call stays. Afghanistan have burnt both their reviews now.
012.612.6: Gulbadin Naib to Aizaz Khan, Pitched up, on middle, swings in late, Aizaz Khan looks to drive but gets a bottom edge towards mid on.
6 Over | Run: 63/6 | Run Rate: 4.85
012.512.5: Gulbadin Naib to Babar Hayat, OUT! TAKEN IN THE DEEP! Gulbadin Naib gets among the wickets now! He bangs this into the pitch, on off. Babar Hayat stays back and looks to pull it away but the ball gets a bit big on him. It takes the top edge and flies towards deep mid-wicket. Sediqullah Atal runs forward and to his right, sits on his knee and takes a fine catch with the ball dying on him a bit. Hayat departs for a gritty 39 off 43, and Hong Kong, China are 63/6, still needing 126 runs in 43 balls.
112.412.4: Gulbadin Naib to Yasim Murtaza, On a length and on midde, Yasim Murtaza nudges it thorugh square leg for another run.
012.312.3: Gulbadin Naib to Yasim Murtaza, Goes wide off the crease, and bowls it on a good length outside off, gets the ball to shape away a bit. Yasim Murtaza shapes to drive that on the off side, but gets beaten on the outside edge.
112.212.2: Gulbadin Naib to Babar Hayat, Delivers a slower delivery, full around the stumps, Babar Hayat looks to heave it across but ends up chipping it over the bowler for a single.
112.112.1: Gulbadin Naib to Yasim Murtaza, On top of off, on a length, Yasim Murtaza clips it through square leg for a run.
211.611.6: Karim Janat to Babar Hayat, Much fuller and on off, Babar Hayat drills it out to sweeper covers for a brace. 16 runs off the over!
6 Over | Run: 60/5 | Run Rate: 5.00
611.511.5: Karim Janat to Babar Hayat, SIX! Stand and deliver! Karim Janat bangs this into the pitch, around off, takes pace off too. Babar Hayat stands tall, extends his arms, and swats it over the long on fence for a biggie. Hong Kong, China need a lot more of these.
111.411.4: Karim Janat to Yasim Murtaza, Great effort from the keeper! Back of a length and on off, Yasim Murtaza looks to push it away but gets an inside edge to the left of the keeper and sets off for the run. Rahmanullah Gurbaz removes his right glove, runs to his left, picks up and fires in a good throw at the stumps on the batter's end. However, Hayat has put in an excellent dive and is well inside, as confirmed by the replay as well.
111.311.3: Karim Janat to Babar Hayat, Bashes the hard length outside off, gets the pace off from the delivery. Babar Hayat slaps it down to long off and takes a run.
611.211.2: Karim Janat to Babar Hayat, SIX! Sweetly struck! Karim Janat bangs it on the shorter length and around middle and off. The ball sets up nicely, as Babar Hayat clears his front leg and thumps it over wide long on for a cracking six.
011.111.1: Karim Janat to Babar Hayat, Bowls it shorter at the batter, gets it to skid through the surface. Babar Hayat looks to pull that across, but gets cramped up and ends up pushing it back to the bowler.
010.610.6: Gulbadin Naib to Yasim Murtaza, Touch fuller and on middle, Yasim Murtaza pushes it off the outer half of the bat to covers. Just one run off the over!
6 Over | Run: 44/5 | Run Rate: 4.00
010.510.5: Gulbadin Naib to Yasim Murtaza, Swing and a miss! Gulbadin Naib sees the batter advance and serves this full, well outside off, Yasim Murtaza is nowhere near it but still swings wildy across the line, only to connect with thin air.
010.410.4: Gulbadin Naib to Yasim Murtaza, Hard length and around off, Yasim Murtaza stays in his crease, hangs his bat away and stabs it back to the bowler.
010.310.3: Gulbadin Naib to Yasim Murtaza, Bowls it on a length and outside off. Yasim Murtaza sets to cut it through but the ball catches the bottom edge and gets behind to the keeper.
110.210.2: Gulbadin Naib to Babar Hayat, Dishes out a slower, low full toss delivery over off, Babar Hayat strokes it down to long off for a single.
010.110.1: Gulbadin Naib to Babar Hayat, Full and swinging in, around the pads. Babar Hayat looks to flick that across, but misses. Interestingly, no wide given by the umpire.
09.69.6: Noor Ahmad to Yasim Murtaza, A googly, on a fullish length, spinning back in from off. Yasim Murtaza leans forward and taps it with soft hands to mid on. Halfway into the chase, Hong Kong, China are 43/5. 
6 Over | Run: 43/5 | Run Rate: 4.30
09.59.5: Noor Ahmad to Kinchit Shah, OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! CAUGHT! Karim Janat redeems himself with a screamer of a catch! Quicker leg break on middle, and the length is a bit fullish. In fact, this is a googly, and he pulls the length by a yard or so, forcing the batter to reach for it. Kinchit Shah takes a huge stride forward and tries to sweep it. Goes through the shot, playing it aerially, to the right of deep fine leg. Gets neither the elevation nor the required distance. Karim Janat from deep fine leg runs across to his right, flings himself towards the ball and plucks a fantastic diving catch. Slides on the ground but sustains the ball in his hands. Kinchit Shah departs on 6 (10) and Hong Kong, China are 43/5 down now, needong 146 runs off 61 balls.
29.49.4: Noor Ahmad to Kinchit Shah, Flights it wide outside off, full in length. Kinchit Shah lofts it inside out over cover. Sediqullah Atal from long off runs across to his right and cuts it off with a slide. Two taken.
19.39.3: Noor Ahmad to Babar Hayat, Babar steps out again, but Noor does well to drop it on a length and relatively quicker, at the stumps. The ball catches the outside edge and rolls on the off side, as Hayat looks to turn it away on the leg side. A single is taken.
09.29.2: Noor Ahmad to Babar Hayat, Bowls it quicker this time around, on a length over off, Babar knocks it down the deck.
09.19.1: Noor Ahmad to Babar Hayat, Bowls it quicker and pushes it across the batter, on off, a tad shorter, Babar steps out to block it out.
18.68.6: Rashid Khan to Babar Hayat, Drag-downer, on middle. Babar Hayat stabs it down to long on for a single. 10 runs off Rashid's second over. His figures read 2-0-15-0. Hong Kong, China need 149 runs from 66 balls!
6 Over | Run: 40/4 | Run Rate: 4.44
18.58.5: Rashid Khan to Kinchit Shah, Fuller delivery, spinning in from middle. Kinchit Shah mistimes the sweep shot to the vacant square leg region for a single.
18.48.4: Rashid Khan to Babar Hayat, Spotting Babar advancing down the track, Rashid darts it on the leg stump line. Babar Hayat heaves it across to deep square leg for a single.
08.38.3: Rashid Khan to Babar Hayat, Drags his length back, after seeing the batter step down the track. Babar pushes it back towards the bowler in the end.
68.28.2: Rashid Khan to Babar Hayat, SIX! MASSIVE! Khan drops it on a yard behind full and just around off, Kinchit Shah puts on his dancing shoes to reach towards the pitch of the delivery and smashes it high over the long on fence for a biggie.
18.18.1: Rashid Khan to Kinchit Shah, Quicker and flatter at the stumps, Kinchit Shah presses back to pull it across on the leg side for a run.
07.67.6: Noor Ahmad to Babar Hayat, Slides it on the middle stump, fullish in length. Babar Hayat lunges forward and eases it back to the bowler. Excellent start for Noor Ahmad. Just 2 off his first over. 7 from the last two overs for Hong Kong, China as they need 159 off 72!
6 Over | Run: 30/4 | Run Rate: 3.75
07.57.5: Noor Ahmad to Babar Hayat, Pitched outside leg, and very full. Babar Hayat misses to sweep and is struck on the front pad.
17.47.4: Noor Ahmad to Kinchit Shah, Quick and flat, just outside off. Kinchit Shah waits back and cuts it to deep point for a single.
17.37.3: Noor Ahmad to Babar Hayat, Bowls it closer at the batter, on the fuller side, Babar Hayat prods forward to stroke it down to long off for a single.
07.27.2: Noor Ahmad to Babar Hayat, On the shorter side and wide outside off, Babar Hayat reaches out for it and finds backward point.
07.17.1: Noor Ahmad to Babar Hayat, Lands it fuller and outside off, Babar Hayat lunges forward to drive it straight to short covers.
16.66.6: Rashid Khan to Babar Hayat, Drags the length, on middle, tucked wide of mid on for a single. 
6 Over | Run: 28/4 | Run Rate: 4.00
16.56.5: Rashid Khan to Kinchit Shah, Flipper, full and outside off. Kinchit Shah bludgeons it down the ground, but Rashid purposefully sticks out his right leg, and the ball deflects to run down to long off for a single.
06.46.4: Rashid Khan to Kinchit Shah, An appeal for caught behind, but the umpire says no. Rashid Khan, after a brief chat with Rahmanullah Gurbaz, sends it upstairs. This is dished out full and on the middle stump line. The ball lands and spins back into the batter. Kinchit Shah shuffles across to play the scoop shot, but the ball passes close to the inside edge and pops off the front pad. Rahmanullah Gurbaz moves to his right and gathers it safely. UltraEdge comes up and shows that the ball is clearly missing the inside edge. And now, the third umpire checks for a possible LBW. Ball Tracking shows the impact is outside the off stump line. So, NOT OUT on both fronts. 
16.36.3: Rashid Khan to Babar Hayat, Sliding onto the pads and on the fuller side, Babar Hayat nudges it across on the leg side for a run.
06.26.2: Rashid Khan to Babar Hayat, Fuller and straighter at the stumps, Babar Hayat defends it off the front foot.
26.16.1: Rashid Khan to Babar Hayat, Drops it fuller and around the pads, Babar Hayat turns it away towards the vacant square leg region and charges back for the second run and completes it easily. Rashid Khan doesn't look happy with that fielding effort.
15.65.6: AM Ghazanfar to Babar Hayat, Shortens the length, on off, Babar Hayat rocks back and punches it down to long off for a single. Hong Kong, China end their Powerplay at 23/4, needing 166 runs!
6 Over | Run: 23/4 | Run Rate: 3.83
05.55.5: AM Ghazanfar to Babar Hayat, Floated up, full and in front of the sticks. Hayat lunges forward with a giant stride to block it back.
05.45.4: AM Ghazanfar to Babar Hayat, A big appeal for LBW, but the umpire does not entertain it. Looked to be sliding down the leg stump line, or maybe a little scratch on the inside edge. In-drifter, staying low, on a fuller length. Babar Hayat is hurried to go back and tries to block it forward, but gets a thick inside edge onto the front pad. The UltraEdge detects a clear spike on the inside edge.
05.35.3: AM Ghazanfar to Babar Hayat, Goes fuller and gets the ball to drift in late around the stumps, Babar Hayat looks to push it away, but ekes out an inside edge towards short mid-wicket.
05.25.2: AM Ghazanfar to Babar Hayat, Bowls the in-drifter, fuller and around middle, Babar Hayat goes back and knocks it back towards the bowler.
05.15.1: AM Ghazanfar to Babar Hayat, Fuller and sliding into the pads, Babar Hayat pushes it off the inner half of the bat towards the bowler.
04.64.6: Azmatullah Omarzai to Kinchit Shah, Fuller than a length, on off, driven down to mid on. Just 3 runs in the over. Azmatullah Omarzai's figures read 2-0-4-1.
6 Over | Run: 22/4 | Run Rate: 4.40
04.54.5: Azmatullah Omarzai to Kinchit Shah, Full and angling into the batter, on the leg stump line. Kinchit Shah tries to flick that away, but misses and wears on the front pad. A big appeal for LBW, but the umpire shakes his head in denial. Probably doing a bit too much to go down leg.
04.44.4: Azmatullah Omarzai to Kinchit Shah, Inswinger on the pads, on a length, Kinchit misses to flick and the ball thuds the thigh pad.
04.34.3: Azmatullah Omarzai to Kalhan Challu, OUT! RUN OUT! All going south for Hong Kong, China here! Azmatullah Omarzai can do nothing wrong this evening! Swings back in from off, on a fuller length, on middle. Kalhan Challu is hurried and drives straight back to the bowler, off the inside half of the bat. Azmatullah Omarzai collects the ball to his right and, seeing Challu out of the crease after playing the shot, he releases a flat throw in a motion, towards the batting end. Scores a direct hit as the stumps are smashed with Kalhan Challu trying to turn around. He dives and stretches his hand to drag his bat inside the popping crease. However, the side-on replay shows that Challu's bat is marginally in the air, while the stumps are hit. Kalhan Challu departs for 4 (8) and Hong Kong, China are 22/4.
24.24.2: Azmatullah Omarzai to Kalhan Challu, Good fielding this time around! Good length, outside off, Kalhan Challu waits back and punches it to deep backward point. Karim Janat from deep third runs across to his right and slides to intercept. Does well to flick the ball inside in time and saves two for his side.
14.14.1: Azmatullah Omarzai to Babar Hayat, IN THE AIR... DROPPED! A huge reprieve for Babar Hayat! Rashid Khan's expressions say it all! Back of a length, outside off. Babar Hayat reaches for it, extends his arms and flashes at it hard. Only gets a thick outside edge and the ball pops up and behind. Dips in front of the incoming Karim Janat from deep third. He dives forward, gets his hands on the ball, but it just pops in and out of his palms. A single taken.
03.63.6: AM Ghazanfar to Kalhan Challu, OPPORTUNITY GONE BEGGING! AM Ghazanfar dishes out a fuller delivery, on middle, sliding into the batter through the air. Kalhan Challu tries to slog it over the leg side, but gets a leading edge. The ball hangs up in the air for a long time, to the right of mid off. Ibrahim Zadran tries to settle under it, but Sediqullah Atal comes charging towards his left from mid on and with no calling from either of the two for the catch, the ball drops between them. AM Ghazanfar is not happy and rightly so. 
6 Over | Run: 19/3 | Run Rate: 4.75
03.53.5: AM Ghazanfar to Kalhan Challu, A slip in place now. Full and at 95 kph, on middle. Challu lunges forward and pushes it to mid on.
03.43.4: AM Ghazanfar to Kalhan Challu, Quicker in-drifter, on a fuller length, on middle. Kalhan Challu creates room and steers it to the point fielder.
13.33.3: AM Ghazanfar to Babar Hayat, Slides it down leg, on a fullish length. Hayat leans on and tucks it to wide square leg for a single.
13.23.2: AM Ghazanfar to Kalhan Challu, Slider onto the pads, clipped away to deep mid-wicket for a single.
13.13.1: AM Ghazanfar to Babar Hayat, AM Ghazanfar is into the attack. Hard length, around off, nipping in a touch. Babar Hayat stands tall and flat bats it down the ground for a single.
12.72.6: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Babar Hayat, Risky running! Back of a length, outside off. Babar Hayat taps it with soft hands to the point fielder and rushes off for a quick single. Kalhan Challu is struggling to get home at the batting end, but the fielder misses to score a direct hit, which allows Challu to get safely in.
7 Over | Run: 16/3 | Run Rate: 5.33
12.62.5: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Kalhan Challu, Full, angling in, Kalhan Challu pushes at the delivery, gets an inside edge due to the late inswing. The ball rolls to deep backward square leg for a single.
02.52.4: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Kalhan Challu, Jags back in sharply, on a hard length, on middle. Kalhan Challu hops off the crease and wears it onto the thigh pad.
12.42.3: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Babar Hayat, Rolls the fingers on the leather, on a length, onto the pads. Babar Hayat waits for it and turns it to the leg side for a single.
02.32.2: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Babar Hayat, RUN OUT! Oh, dear! This is the last thing Hong Kong, China would have wanted! Full delivery, on off, Babar Hayat gets on the front foot and drives it firmly, but straight to mid off. Nizakat tries to pinch in a single, but is sent back by Babar. There is a direct hit at the non-striker's end from Rashid Khan. Oh, hang on! This is really closer than it appears and the on-field umpires have sent it upstairs for a run out check. Looks like Nizakat Khan's bat is marginally outside the crease. The zoomer comes in and confirms that Nizakat is just short of his crease. He departs without facing a single delivery and Hong Kong, China are tottering at 13/3, needing 176 runs! 
02.22.2: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Babar Hayat, WIDE! Miles outside off, beyond the tramline, Babar tries to reach out for it, but misses. Wide called.
02.12.1: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Babar Hayat, Length-delivery, swinging away from outside off. Babar Hayat flashes hard to work it square on the off side, but gets beaten on the outside edge.
01.61.6: Azmatullah Omarzai to Zeeshan Ali, OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! After doing wonders with the bat, Omarzai strikes gold with the ball as well. He lands this on the fuller side, and gets the ball to curve away from middle. Zeeshan Ali tries to work it leg side, but does not account for the ball shaping late, and ends up chipping it off the leading edge. Mohammad Nabi from mid on runs to his left and takes a good running catch. A soft, soft dismissal for Ali. Both Hong Kong, China openers are back in the hut, in the first couple of overs! Zeeshan Ali goes for 5 (6) and Hong Kong, China are 12/2, needing 177 runs!
6 Over | Run: 12/2 | Run Rate: 6.00
01.51.5: Azmatullah Omarzai to Zeeshan Ali, Fuller and outside off, driven firmly, but straight to the cover fielder.
01.41.4: Azmatullah Omarzai to Zeeshan Ali, Sharp nip-backer, on middle and leg, shortish in length. Zeeshan Ali is cramped for space and tries to work it across, but misses and wears on the back thigh pad.
11.31.3: Azmatullah Omarzai to Babar Hayat, Back of a length, shaping away late, outside off. Hayat hangs the bat away and gets a thick outside edge. The ball runs behind to deep third for a single.
01.21.2: Azmatullah Omarzai to Babar Hayat, Curves away a shy bit, on a length, around off. Babar Hayat lets the ball come at him and punches it to the off side with soft hands.
01.11.1: Azmatullah Omarzai to Babar Hayat, Nagging length, shaping away, on off. Babar pushes at it and gets a thick inside edge as the ball dribbles past the off stump to the keeper.
00.70.6: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Zeeshan Ali, Around the stumps, swinging into the batter, on a length, outside off. Zeeshan mistimes and heaves it off the toe end to short mid-wicket. 11 off the first over then!
7 Over | Run: 11/1 | Run Rate: 11.00
40.60.5: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Zeeshan Ali, FOUR! Lovely stroke! That will give him a lot of confidence! Fuller delivery, angling around off. Zeeshan Ali taps the front foot forward and drives it straight down the ground for a cracking boundary!
00.50.5: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Zeeshan Ali, FIVE WIDES! Wayward and miles down leg, Zeeshan Ali lets it be and the ball beats the diving Gurbaz to his left for a boundary.
10.40.4: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Babar Hayat, Babar is off the mark! Very full and outside off, angling across. Babar Hayat carves it out to mid off for a single.
00.30.3: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Babar Hayat, Full and on middle and leg, Babar Hayat prods forward and pushes it to mid on.
00.20.2: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Anshy Rath, OUT! EDGED AND CAUGHT BEHIND! Anshy Rath looks skeptical and has a bit of a chat with his partner, but eventually, starts his long walk back to the dugout. Afghanistan get their first wicket in the very first over. Fazalhaq Farooqi lands it on a back of a length, and gets the ball to shape away from the fourth stump line. Anshy Rath without any foot movement, hangs his bat away from the body and pushes at it. Only manages to get a faint graze off the glove and Rahmanullah Gurbaz does the rest behind the wickets. A regulation catch for him. Anshy Rath departs on a golden duck and Hong Kong, China are 1/1, needing 188 runs! Oh..wow! The replay and UltraEdge after the ball show that there is a big gap between bat and ball, and the spike is also after the ball has passed the bat. Rath is furious in the hut and will not be happy with his opening partner, who insisted that he had nicked it.
10.10.1: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Zeeshan Ali, Zeeshan Ali and Hong Kong, China are underway in the chase! Fazalhaq Farooqi begins with a length ball, tails back on the leg stump. Zeeshan Ali lifts the front leg up and pulls it along the ground to deep square leg for a single.