Afghanistan opened their campaign at the 2025 Hong Kong Sixes with a convincing 17-run win over Nepal in their first group stage match on Friday.
Batting first, Afghanistan posted a formidable total of 112 for 5 in six overs. Opener Karim Janat led the scoring with a blistering 35 off just 10 deliveries, while Farmanullah Safi added an unbeaten 30 and captain Gulbadin Naib chipped in with 22 runs.
Nepal’s bowlers struggled to contain the Afghan batters, with Rashid Khan taking 4 wickets and Lokesh Bam claiming one.
Chasing a target of 113, Nepal fell short despite a valiant 53 off 14 balls from captain Sundeep Jora. The rest of the batting lineup failed to provide support, with Lokesh Bam managing 10 runs from 10 balls, while Rashid Khan and Mohammad Aadil Alam added 11 runs each. Nepal ended their innings on 95 for 2 in the allotted six overs.
Afghanistan’s disciplined bowling attack, including tidy spells from Farmanullah Safi (1 for 19) and Ijaz Ahmadzai (1 for 16), helped seal the victory.
Afghanistan will face South Africa in their second match later Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Afghanistan time. Nepal, placed in Pool A alongside Afghanistan and South Africa, will take on the Proteas on Saturday.
