Pakistan beat Oman by 18 runs to clinch Hong Kong Sixes Plate title

HONG KONG: Pakistan defeated Oman by 18 runs in the Plate final of the Hong Kong Sixes tournament on Sunday to finish their campaign with a title, producing an explosive batting display before holding off their opponents in the six-over contest.

Batting first at Mission Road Ground in Mong Kok, Pakistan piled up 154 runs in their allotted six overs. Oman managed 136 in reply, falling 18 runs short of the target as Pakistan clinched the Plate trophy.

Pakistan captain Abbas Afridi led the batting charge with a blistering 55 off just 13 deliveries, smashing eight sixes and a four at a strike rate of more than 423.

Abdul Samad provided further fireworks, scoring an unbeaten 32 off six balls, including four sixes and two boundaries, as Pakistan maintained a remarkable scoring rate.

Wicketkeeper-batter Khawaja Nafay contributed seven off three deliveries, while Muhammad Shahzad also featured in the middle order.

Oman elected to field after winning the toss but struggled to contain Pakistan’s aggressive batting. Muzahir Raza and Usman Ali Afridi picked up a wicket apiece.

In response, Oman reached 136 runs in six overs but could not keep pace with Pakistan’s imposing total, handing the Greenshirts an 18-run victory.

The triumph gave Pakistan the Plate title after the defending champions failed to qualify for the main Cup semi-finals, having finished second behind the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Group C.

Pakistan began their campaign with a narrow one-wicket defeat against the UAE despite posting 106 for three in their six overs.

They bounced back against arch-rivals India, securing a four-wicket victory after restricting their opponents to 88 for five. Pakistan chased down the target in 3.5 overs, with Khawaja Nafay scoring 41 and Abbas Afridi contributing 35.

However, the UAE won both their group matches to secure the only Cup semi-final place available from Group C, leaving Pakistan to compete in the Plate category.

Pakistan subsequently advanced to the Plate final with a six-wicket victory over hosts Hong Kong in Saturday’s semi-final.

Hong Kong posted 106 for three in six overs, with Nizakat Khan scoring 38 off 10 deliveries and Anshy Rath making 37 off 15 balls.

Pakistan chased down the 107-run target in just 4.3 overs without losing a wicket. Abbas Afridi once again starred with an unbeaten 55 off 13 balls, while Khawaja Nafay contributed 34 off 10 deliveries.

Oman booked their place in the Plate final by defeating Sri Lanka by five wickets in the other semi-final, chasing down a target of 93 in 4.4 overs.

Pakistan entered the 2026 tournament as defending champions after beating Kuwait in last year’s final to claim their sixth Hong Kong Sixes title.

The Hong Kong Sixes is a fast-paced cricket tournament featuring six players per side, with each team batting for a maximum of six overs. The 2026 edition featured 12 teams competing in the Cup, Plate and Bowl categories.