Kuwait vs Hong Kong 1st T20I Match Report 2026
Kuwait vs Hong Kong got off to a thrilling start on February 25, 2026, as the hosts edged out Kuwait by three wickets in a high-scoring first T20 International at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground in Mong Kok . In a match that swung back and forth, Hong Kong chased down Kuwait’s imposing total of 182 with just seven balls to spare, taking a crucial 1-0 lead in the four-match series .
Hong Kong captain Yasim Murtaza won the toss and elected to field first, a decision that initially seemed to backfire as Kuwait’s batters posted a challenging total before the hosts’ chase was anchored by a magnificent 72 from Anshy Rath and an unbeaten 60 from Zeeshan Ali .
Kuwait vs Hong Kong : Match Summary at a Glance
Brief Scores:
- Kuwait: 182 for 6 in 20 overs (Bilal Tahir 61 not out, Muhammad Umar 37, Mohammed Aslam 32; Ayush Shukla 2 for 37, Aizaz Khan 1 for 14)
- Hong Kong: 186 for 7 in 18.5 overs (Anshy Rath 72, Zeeshan Ali 60 not out; Yasin Patel 2 for 37, Anudeep C 2 for 27)
- Result: Hong Kong won by 3 wickets
- Player of the Match: Anshy Rath (Hong Kong)
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Kuwait’s Innings: Bilal Tahir’s Heroics Propel Visitors
After being asked to bat first, Kuwait’s innings got off to a shaky start. Ravija Sandaruwan was dismissed early, caught by Mohammad Waheed off Ayush Shukla for just 4 runs in the first over . Meet Bhavsar followed soon after, bowled by Ehsan Khan for 15, and Usman Patel was run out without scoring, leaving Kuwait struggling at 38 for 3 .
Clinto Anto attempted to steady the ship with 24 off 22 balls before falling to Aizaz Khan . However, it was Bilal Tahir who turned the innings around. Coming in at number seven, the Desert Vipers representative in the ILT20 played a breathtaking knock, smashing an unbeaten 61 off just 33 deliveries . His innings was laced with four boundaries and five massive sixes, providing the late impetus Kuwait desperately needed.
Muhammad Umar contributed a quickfire 37 off 25 balls, including five sixes, while Mohammed Aslam added 32 off 25 . Their contributions, combined with Tahir’s heroics, propelled Kuwait to a commanding 182 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs .
For Hong Kong, Ayush Shukla was the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 37, while Aizaz Khan, Ehsan Khan, and Hassan Khan Mohammad chipped in with a wicket each .
Hong Kong’s Chase: Rath and Ali Anchor Record Pursuit
Chasing 183 for victory, Hong Kong needed a solid start, and they got exactly that through Anshy Rath and Zeeshan Ali. The duo put together a magnificent 124-run partnership for the first wicket, effectively taking the game away from Kuwait .
Anshy Rath was in sublime touch, scoring a run-a-ball 72 with seven fours and four sixes before being caught by Clinto Anto off Bilal Tahir . His innings laid the perfect foundation for the chase. Zeeshan Ali played the anchor role to perfection, remaining unbeaten on 60 off 47 balls, striking nine boundaries and rotating the strike effectively .
However, Kuwait struck back in the middle overs. Yasin Patel removed Babar Hayat and Shiv Mathur in quick succession, while Naveenraj Rajendran accounted for captain Yasim Murtaza . When Nizakat Khan fell for 12, the equation had tightened, but Hong Kong still had wickets in hand.
Aizaz Khan provided a late flourish with 16 off just 7 balls before falling to Anudeep C, who also dismissed Hassan Khan Mohammad for a golden duck . With the match on the line, Zeeshan Ali held his nerve, and alongside Ehsan Khan, who smashed a four off the first ball he faced, guided Hong Kong home with three wickets and seven balls to spare .
Statistical Highlights
- Anshy Rath’s 72: His innings was the cornerstone of Hong Kong’s successful chase, featuring seven fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 175.61 .
- Bilal Tahir’s 61*: The Kuwaiti all-rounder’s unbeaten knock rescued his team from a middle-order collapse and set a competitive target .
- 124-run opening stand: The partnership between Rath and Zeeshan Ali was the highest of the match and effectively decided the outcome .
- Hong Kong’s chase: This was the second-highest successful run chase at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground .
Series Context and What’s Next
The four-match T20I series between Kuwait and Hong Kong runs from February 25 to March 1, 2026, with all matches scheduled at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground in Mong Kok . This series serves as valuable preparation for both Associate nations ahead of upcoming ICC tournaments.
Kuwait, under the leadership of captain Yasin Patel, will be eager to bounce back in the second T20I, scheduled for February 26 at the same venue . The visitors have shown significant improvement in recent years, with several players gaining valuable experience in the DP World ILT20, including Mohammed Aslam (Sharjah Warriorz), Mohammed Shafeeq (MI Emirates), and Bilal Tahir (Desert Vipers) .
Hong Kong, led by Yasim Murtaza, will look to build on this momentum and seal the series with another win. With a mix of experienced campaigners like Babar Hayat, Nizakat Khan, and Ehsan Khan, alongside emerging talents, the hosts have a well-balanced unit capable of going all the way .
Full Squads
Hong Kong Squad
Player Role
- Yasim Murtaza (c) All-rounder
- Zeeshan Ali (wk) Wicketkeeper batter
- Nizakat Khan All-rounder
- Anshuman Rath Batter
- Babar Hayat Batter
- Aizaz Khan All-rounder
- Ehsan Khan Bowler
- Ayush Shukla Bowler
- Mohammad Waheed Bowler
- Hassan Khan Mohammad Bowler
- Shiv Mathur Wicketkeeper batter
Kuwait Squad
Player Role
- Yasin Patel (c) Bowler
- Usman Patel (wk) Wicketkeeper batter
- Clinto Anto Batter
- Ravija Sandaruwan Batter
- Meet Bhavsar Batter
- Muhammad Umar Batter
- Mohammed Aslam All-rounder
- Bilal Tahir All-rounder
- Anudeep Chenthamara Bowler
- Mohamed Shafeeq Bowler
- Naveenraj Rajendran Bowler
Looking Ahead
The second T20I between Kuwait and Hong Kong will be played at the same venue in Mong Kok on February 26, with the hosts looking to seal the series and Kuwait aiming to level the contest . Given the high-scoring nature of the first match and the batting-friendly conditions at Tin Kwong Road, fans can expect another entertaining encounter.
For Kuwait, the key will be to provide better support to their middle order, which collapsed before Bilal Tahir’s rescue act. For Hong Kong, the focus will be on maintaining their bowling discipline and ensuring their top order continues to fire .
Kuwait vs Hong Kong : Analysis by Best Pak Mag
This Kuwait vs Hong Kong contest was a classic example of T20 cricket at its finest. After being inserted, Kuwait looked down and out at 38 for 3, but Bilal Tahir’s magnificent 61 not out off just 33 balls turned the innings around and gave his team a fighting chance . His experience in the ILT20 with the Desert Vipers was evident in the way he paced his innings and targeted the bowlers in the death overs .
However, Hong Kong’s response was equally impressive. The 124-run opening partnership between Anshy Rath and Zeeshan Ali was a masterclass in chasing. Rath’s aggressive 72 laid the platform, while Ali’s composed, unbeaten 60 ensured there were no late hiccups . When Kuwait’s bowlers fought back in the middle overs, taking four wickets, the pressure was on, but Ali’s calm presence and Ehsan Khan’s cameo saw Hong Kong through.
For Kuwait, this defeat will sting, but there are positives. Mohammed Aslam, the national team captain, continues to grow from his experiences alongside world-class players at the Sharjah Warriorz . The fact that Kuwait, an Associate nation, can compete and post totals of 180+ against a seasoned side like Hong Kong is a testament to the work being done by coaches like Kabir Khan, who recently joined as General Manager of High Performance .
The second T20I on February 26 is now a must-win for Kuwait if they want to keep the series alive. Expect them to come back harder, but Hong Kong, with the momentum and home advantage, will be confident of sealing the deal .
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