Pakistan defeated arch-rivals India by four wickets in their second Group C match of the Hong Kong Sixes 2026 at Mission Road Ground in Mong Kok.
The defending champions bounced back from a one-wicket defeat to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) earlier in the day. The victory also came after India had beaten Pakistan by two runs in last year’s tournament.
Pakistan captain Abbas Afridi won the toss and elected to bowl first.
India were bowled out for 88 runs in their allotted six overs, with Shashank Singh leading the scoring with 40 off just 11 deliveries, including two fours and five sixes.
Nitish Rana contributed 19 off 14 balls, hitting one four and two sixes, while T Natarajan remained unbeaten on 12 off six deliveries, including two boundaries.
Rahul Tripathi added nine runs off five balls, including two fours, while Rahul Tewatia and captain Krunal Pandya were both dismissed for first-ball ducks.
India lost three wickets in quick succession after reaching 74 runs, with Rana retiring out before Samad dismissed Tewatia and Pandya on consecutive deliveries.
For Pakistan, Abdul Samad was the leading wicket-taker with figures of 2/10 in one over, while Ahmed Daniyal and Mohammad Shahzad claimed one wicket each.
Chasing a target of 89, Pakistan made an explosive start as captain Abbas Afridi smashed five consecutive sixes in the opening over bowled by Krunal Pandya, helping his team collect 31 runs.
Khawaja Nafay continued the aggressive batting in the second over against Natarajan, hitting five boundaries as Pakistan added another 28 runs to reach 59 without losing a wicket.
Shashank eventually broke the 59-run opening partnership by dismissing Afridi, who scored 35 off just eight balls, including one four and five sixes.
Nafay maintained the momentum, scoring 41 off 12 deliveries, featuring two fours and five sixes, before being caught by Natarajan off Rahul Tewatia’s bowling.
Irfan Khan Niazi then sealed Pakistan’s victory with a six off his first delivery, while Samad remained unbeaten on seven off three balls, including a six.
Pakistan completed the chase at 91/2 in just 3.5 overs, winning with 13 balls remaining. Afridi was named Player of the Match for his explosive batting performance.
The Hong Kong Sixes 2026 features 12 teams divided into four groups of three. Pakistan, India and the UAE are competing in Group C, with the group winners advancing to the Cup semifinals.
The tournament follows a fast-paced format in which each innings is limited to six overs. Each squad has seven players, with every player except the designated wicketkeeper required to bowl.
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