UAE stun defending champions Pakistan in Hong Kong Super Sixes thriller

HONG KONG: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) stunned defending champions Pakistan by one wicket in a last-ball thriller in their Group C match at the Hong Kong International Sixes tournament.

Pakistan posted 106-3 in their allotted six overs after winning the toss and electing to bat in Mong Kok. The UAE chased down the target on the final delivery, finishing on 107-5 to claim a dramatic victory.

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

Abbas Afridi powers Pakistan to 106

Pakistan openers Khawaja Nafay and Abdul Samad got off to a brief start before Nafay was caught by Zahid Ali off Mohammad Farooq for three off four deliveries.

Captain Abbas Afridi then joined Abdul Samad to accelerate the scoring, with the pair putting pressure on the UAE bowlers.

Abbas smashed 53 off just 13 deliveries, hitting one four and eight sixes, before retiring out. His explosive innings helped Pakistan post a formidable total in the six-over format.

Irfan Khan scored eight off three balls before being dismissed by Farooq, while Abdul Samad remained unbeaten on 39 off 15 deliveries, including five fours and two sixes. Saad Masood finished unbeaten on one.

Khalid Shah leads UAE’s stunning chase

The UAE suffered an early setback when Ansh Tandon was bowled by Abbas Afridi for one in the opening over.

Mohammad Zohaib scored seven off four deliveries before being caught off Abdul Samad, while Maroof Merchant retired out after making two off three balls. Mohammad Farooq also retired out during the innings.

Pakistan lose to UAE in the Hong Kong Sixes💔

Thanks to some seriously slow batting from mAbdul Samad.

Abdul Samad wasted 8–9 deliveries, taking just singles in a six a side game where every ball matters. 😭 https://t.co/IhsFOcNPKX

— Humais khan (@Humireacts) October 30, 2026

However, UAE captain Khalid Shah turned the match around with a blistering knock against Pakistan’s bowlers.

He smashed 71 off just 20 deliveries, including three fours and nine sixes, to put the UAE in a strong position in the chase. Shah was eventually caught by Khawaja Nafay off Irfan Khan.

Zahid Ali then took the UAE over the line, scoring an unbeaten 22 off eight balls. He struck two fours and two sixes, hitting the winning six off the final delivery to seal the one-wicket victory.

For Pakistan, Abbas Afridi, Abdul Samad and Irfan Khan claimed one wicket each.

Khalid Shah was named player of the match for his match-winning innings.

The tournament features 12 teams divided into four groups of three.

Group A comprises Australia, England and Hong Kong, while Bangladesh, Scotland and Sri Lanka are in Group B. Pakistan, India and the UAE form Group C, while Afghanistan, Oman and South Africa are in Group D.