Pakistan beat arch-rivals India by a comfortable margin in their Group C match at the Hong Kong International Sixes in Mong Kok. Pakistan, the defending champions, needed only 3.5 overs to reach a target of 89 after restricting India to 88 from their six overs.
The result was Pakistan’s first victory of the tournament, following a narrow one-wicket defeat in their opener against the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Pakistan’s bowlers hold India to 88
Pakistan won the toss and chose to bowl first. India’s innings was led by Shashank Singh, who hit 40 from 11 deliveries with two fours and five sixes. Nitish Rana added 19 from 14 balls, while Rahul Tripathi was dismissed after scoring nine.
Also read: UAE stun Pakistan in last-ball Hong Kong Sixes thriller
T Natarajan was not out at 12 at the end of India’s innings. For Pakistan, Abdul Samad took two wickets in one over that cost 10 runs. Ahmed Daniyal and Mohammad Shahzad each claimed a single wicket.
Abbas Afridi and Khawaja Nafay drive the chase
Pakistan got off to a fast start through captain Abbas Afridi and Khawaja Nafay, who attacked the Indian bowlers from the outset. Abbas made 35 from just eight deliveries, hitting one four and five sixes. Nafay scored 41 from 12 balls, including two fours and five sixes.
The pair put on 59 runs for the first wicket, effectively settling the contest. Abdul Samad stayed not out on seven, and Irfan Khan finished on six not out as Pakistan completed the chase. Abbas was named player of the match for his decisive contribution.
Last-ball loss to UAE in the opener
Pakistan had earlier lost their opening Group C fixture to the UAE by one wicket. Batting first, they posted 106-3 from six overs. The UAE responded by reaching 107-5, sealing victory off the final delivery.
Abbas had scored 53 from 13 deliveries in that game, including one four and eight sixes, before retiring out. Abdul Samad was unbeaten on 39 from 15 balls. For the UAE, captain Khalid Shah made 71 from 20 deliveries before being dismissed by Irfan Khan, and Zahid Ali struck the winning six from an unbeaten 22.
Pakistan are defending the title they won in 2025, when they beat Kuwait in the final. The tournament features 12 teams split into four groups of three, with Pakistan, India and the UAE all placed in Group C.
