Asia Cup 2025 kicks off in the UAE: AFG vs HK opens Group B as fans eye blockbuster week

Tournament snapshot

The Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 officially begins today in the UAE, launching three weeks of high-stakes cricket that could feature up to three India–Pakistan clashes if results align. Afghanistan meet Hong Kong in the tournament opener in Abu Dhabi (Sheikh Zayed Stadium), while India start their title defense mid-week with Pakistan looming on the weekend in Dubai. Schedules and live details confirm the rapid cadence of group games leading straight into the Super Four and the final later this month. NDTV SportsESPN

Today’s opener: AFG vs HK

The first ball of Asia’s marquee T20 tournament is set for Abu Dhabi, where Afghanistan face Hong Kong in Group B. Live score centers and pre-match guides frame Afghanistan as favorites, but Hong Kong’s powerplay intent has caused upsets before. For match timing, squads, and streaming pointers, see the live hubs and match-day explainers. The Financial ExpressBusiness Standard

Pitch & weather watch

Previews indicate a typical Sheikh Zayed white-ball surface—true bounce with dew potential in the second innings—plus warm, dry conditions into the evening. That often nudges captains towards chasing. The Indian Express

Week-one fixtures you can’t miss

• India vs Pakistan – Dubai, Sep 14: the headline group clash that shapes Super Four seeding.
• Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka – Sep 13 and Bangladesh vs Afghanistan – Sep 16: decisive for Group B calculus.
• India vs Oman – Sep 19: a potential net-run-rate lever if Group A tightens. Cricbuzz

Why this Asia Cup matters

Besides regional bragging rights, teams are calibrating combinations ahead of global T20 commitments. A compressed schedule rewards squads with finisher depth, two-pace spin, and gun fielding—areas that could swing close chases in Dubai’s evening humidity. The broadcast pull of IND-PAK remains immense, with think-pieces already dissecting the geo-political and commercial gravity of the rivalry. Al Jazeera

Quick predictions & watch-outs

• Afghanistan’s spin trio to dictate middle overs in Abu Dhabi.
• Powerplay matchups: HK’s top order vs left-arm pace swing.
• Dew factor: coin toss may be half the battle this week.

FAQs

When does India play first? India’s first game is this week; the IND-PAK clash is on Sep 14 in Dubai.
Where is the opener played? Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi.

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