Pakistan thrash India to register first win at Hong Kong International Sixes

HONG KONG: Defending champions Pakistan thrashed India in their Group C match at the Hong Kong International Sixes tournament, chasing a target of 89 runs in just 3.5 overs after restricting their arch-rivals to 88 in Mong Kok.

Pakistan won the toss and elected to field, with India managing 88 runs in their allotted six overs.

Shashank Singh top-scored for India with an aggressive 40 off 11 deliveries, including two fours and five sixes. Nitish Rana made 19 off 14 balls, while Rahul Tripathi scored nine before being dismissed. T Natarajan remained unbeaten on 12.

For Pakistan, Abdul Samad claimed two wickets in his over while conceding 10 runs. Ahmed Daniyal and Mohammad Shahzad took one wicket each.

Abbas Afridi and Nafay power Pakistan’s chase

Pakistan made a flying start to the chase, with captain Abbas Afridi and Khawaja Nafay attacking the Indian bowlers.

Abbas smashed 35 off just eight deliveries, hitting one four and five sixes, while Nafay scored 41 off 12 balls, including two fours and five sixes.

The pair added 59 runs for the first wicket to put Pakistan firmly in control of the chase.

Abdul Samad remained unbeaten on seven, while Irfan Khan finished on six not out as Pakistan reached the target in 3.5 overs.

Abbas was named player of the match for his match-winning contribution.

Pakistan suffer last-ball defeat to UAE

Pakistan had earlier suffered a dramatic one-wicket defeat against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in their opening Group C fixture.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Pakistan posted 106-3 in their allotted six overs. The UAE chased down the target on the final delivery, finishing on 107-5.

Abbas starred with the bat in that match as well, scoring 53 off 13 deliveries, including one four and eight sixes, before retiring out. Abdul Samad remained unbeaten on 39 off 15 balls.

UAE captain Khalid Shah led the chase with a blistering 71 off 20 deliveries, including three fours and nine sixes, before being dismissed by Irfan Khan. Zahid Ali then scored an unbeaten 22 off eight balls, hitting the winning six off the final delivery.

Pakistan are defending the title they won in 2025, when they defeated Kuwait in the final.

The tournament features 12 teams divided into four groups of three. Pakistan, India and the UAE are in Group C.