MONG KOK: Executing a ruthless display of power-hitting, Pakistan revitalized their Hong Kong Sixes 2026 campaign with a commanding four-wicket victory over arch-rivals India at the Mission Road Ground on Friday.
Needing 89 runs off just 36 balls, the Green Shirts unleashed an unrelenting assault from the outset, ultimately chasing down the target with balls to spare in a high-stakes Group C clash.
India’s innings got off to a blistering start after electing to bat first. Middle-order hitter Shashank Singh led the charge, hammering an explosive 40 runs off just 11 deliveries, backed by five towering sixes and two boundaries. Nitish Rana added a quickfire 19 off 14 balls, while T. Natarajan chipped in with an undefeated 12. However, Pakistan’s bowlers held their composure amidst the onslaught. Abdul Samad emerged as the standout performer, taking 2 for 10 in his solitary over, supported by disciplined strikes from Ahed Daniyal and Mohammad Shahzad to dismiss the entire Indian lineup for 88 in the final over.
Thereafter, Pakistan turned the run-chase into a masterclass of pure aggression. Skipper Abbas Afridi set the tone immediately by dismantling Indian captain Krunal Pandya, smashing five consecutive sixes in the opening over to accumulate 31 runs. Building on that momentum, Khawaja Nafay took charge in the second over, punishing T. Natarajan with five boundaries to push Pakistan past the 50-run mark in just 12 balls.
Although Shashank Singh temporarily broke the opening partnership by dismissing Afridi for a fiery 8-ball 35, the momentum never shifted. Nafay continued his rampage, racing to a match-winning 41 off 12 balls featuring five sixes and two fours. Consequently, when Irfan Niazi launched his very first ball over the ropes for a massive six, Pakistan sealed a comprehensive victory, keeping their tournament hopes firmly alive while sending a clear warning to the rest of the field.
