Afghanistan got off to a flying start in the Asia Cup with an emphatic 94-run win over Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

While Sediqullah Atal top scored with 73 not out off 52 balls, Azmatullah Omarzai hit a stunning 21-ball 53 as Afghanistan made 188 for six.

In reply, Hong Kong could only manage 94 for nine in 20 overs as Gulbadin Naib and Fazalhaq Farooqi took two wickets each.

The Afghans could not have been happier with their start to the campaign in Group B, just 48 hours after their demoralising defeat to Pakistan in the tri-series final at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

"It was great. Good to put a total on the board. Overall, it was a great performance," skipper Rashid Khan said while admitting that the team needed to make improvements ahead of their next game against Bangladesh on September 16.

Afghanistan were struggling at 2/26 in the fourth over before Atal and veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi (33 off 26 balls) put the team back on track with a 51-run partnership.

"In the last series as well we lost early wickets - that is very key for us and we have to look into it. Upcoming games are very important and that is an area if we can make it better," he said.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong captain said Omarzai's knock was the turning point in the match.

"We know Asia Cup is one of the bigger tournaments, so we were really excited for that. I was not expecting that total on the board," he said.

"At one stage, I was thinking they would get 150. Credit goes to their batters, especially Omarzai, getting 50 off 20 balls - that is a game-changer."

On Wednesday, India will face the UAE in Dubai.

Brief scores:

Afghanistan 188 for 6 (Atal 73 not out, Omarzai 53, Kinchit 2-24) beat Hong Kong 94 for 9 (Hayat 39, Naib 2-8, Farooqi 2-16) by 94 runs.

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