Asia Cup 2025: Rahmanullah Gurbaz starts strong, Ayush Shukla strikes back, watch video

Hong Kong pacer Ayush Shukla struck early in the Asia Cup 2025 opener, dismissing Afghanistan’s attacking opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan had chosen to bat first, going with a spin-heavy attack featuring three spinners in the tournament opener at Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi.


Opening the bowling for Hong Kong, Shukla quickly found his rhythm. In his second over, Gurbaz charged down the pitch and lofted a length ball over long-off for a six, signaling early aggression. But Shukla responded brilliantly on the very next delivery, giving “an immediate response to the opening batter” and earning his side an early breakthrough.


He bowled a full delivery with slight away movement, and Gurbaz’s attempt to replicate his previous shot went wrong. The ball flew off the outer edge and soared over mid-off, where Nizakat Khan ran back and completed a “safe reverse-cup catch.” Gurbaz fell for a quick eight off five balls.