HONG KONG: Pakistan bounced back in style with a five-wicket victory over arch-rivals India in their second Group C match of the Hong Kong Sixes 2026 at Mission Road Ground in Mong Kok on Friday.
Captain Abbas Afridi stole the spotlight with five consecutive sixes in the opening over, setting the tone for Pakistan’s successful chase of India’s 89-run target.
Batting first, India managed 88 runs before being bowled out in their allotted six overs.
Shashank Singh led India’s batting effort with an explosive 40 off just 11 deliveries, hitting two fours and five sixes. Nitish Rana contributed 19 from 14 balls, while T Natarajan remained unbeaten on 12 off six deliveries.
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For Pakistan, Abdul Samad was the standout bowler, claiming two wickets for 10 runs in his only over. Ahmed Daniyal and Mohammad Shahzad picked up one wicket each.
Afridi and Nafay Lead Pakistan’s Onslaught
Pakistan made an explosive start to their chase as Afridi launched five consecutive sixes against Indian captain Krunal Pandya in the opening over, bringing up 31 runs.
Khawaja Nafay continued the assault in the second over, striking five boundaries against Natarajan as Pakistan collected another 28 runs to move beyond the 50-run mark.
Shashank eventually ended Afridi’s innings, dismissing the Pakistan captain for 35 off just eight deliveries, including one four and five sixes.
Nafay, however, maintained the momentum, smashing 41 from 12 balls, with two fours and five sixes, before being dismissed by Rahul Tewatia.
Irfan Khan Niazi then helped complete the victory, launching a six off his first delivery. Samad remained unbeaten on seven from three balls as Pakistan sealed the chase.
The victory revived Pakistan’s hopes of progressing to the next round after their opening Group C fixture.
Afridi’s remarkable opening over and Nafay’s explosive contribution proved decisive in Pakistan’s emphatic response against their arch-rivals.
