Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan opted to bat first after winning the toss against Hong Kong in their T20 international in Abu Dhabi. He noted that in the shortest format, the toss does not hold as much importance as giving the team the best chance to win. By that logic, he believed setting a target on this surface was the right call.
Afghanistan are currently in the midst of a packed schedule, playing six T20Is in just 13 days. This has led to some rotation in the squad. One change was made from the side that faltered against Pakistan in the recent tri-series final. Darwish Rasooli makes way for allrounder Gulbadin Naib.
The pitch at Abu Dhabi has 3.5mm of grass, an unusual feature for this ground. That may have factored into Afghanistan’s decision to bat first. Hong Kong Captain Yasim Murtaza said his side would be chasing and highlighted the talent of 22-year-old batter Kalhan Challu. Challu’s power-hitting has proven vital for Hong Kong in recent matches, including a key innings against Samoa in July.
Afghanistan XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (capt), Noor Ahmad, AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Hong Kong XI: Anshuman Rath, Zeeshan Ali (wk), Babar Hayat, Kalhan Challu, Nizakat Khan, Aizaz Khan, KD Shah, Yasim Murtaza (capt), A Shukla, Ateeq Iqbal, Ehsan Khan.
