The United Arab Emirates produced a last-ball upset in Mong Kok, beating defending champions Pakistan by one wicket in their Group C match at the Hong Kong International Sixes tournament. The UAE reached the target on the final delivery, finishing on 107-5 to take a dramatic win.
Pakistan had won the toss and chosen to bat, making 106-3 in their allotted six overs. The side are defending the title they captured in 2025, when they defeated Kuwait in the final.
Abbas Afridi and Abdul Samad drive Pakistan’s innings
Openers Khawaja Nafay and Abdul Samad began briskly, but Nafay did not last long. He was caught by Zahid Ali off Mohammad Farooq for three from four deliveries. Captain Abbas Afridi then came in and joined Samad, and the pair quickly stepped up the scoring and pressed the UAE bowlers.
Afridi was the standout, smashing 53 from just 13 deliveries with one four and eight sixes before he retired out. His innings gave Pakistan a strong total in the six-over format. Irfan Khan made eight from three balls before Farooq dismissed him.
Samad remained unbeaten on 39 from 15 deliveries, including five fours and two sixes. Saad Masood finished unbeaten on one.
Khalid Shah’s knock turns the UAE chase
The UAE were hit early when Ansh Tandon was bowled by Abbas Afridi for one in the opening over. Mohammad Zohaib scored seven from four deliveries before he was caught off Samad. Maroof Merchant retired out after making two from three balls, and Farooq also retired out during the innings.
UAE captain Khalid Shah then changed the course of the match. He hit 71 from only 20 deliveries, including three fours and nine sixes, which put the UAE firmly in the hunt. Shah was eventually caught by Khawaja Nafay off Irfan Khan.
Zahid Ali then saw the UAE home, finishing unbeaten on 22 from eight balls. He struck two fours and two sixes, and his winning blow came off the final delivery to seal the one-wicket victory. Abbas Afridi, Abdul Samad and Irfan Khan each took one wicket for Pakistan. Shah was named player of the match for his innings.
How the 12-team Hong Kong Sixes groups are set
The tournament features 12 teams split into four groups of three. Australia, England and Hong Kong are in Group A, while Bangladesh, Scotland and Sri Lanka make up Group B.
Pakistan, India and the UAE form Group C, and Afghanistan, Oman and South Africa are in Group D.
