India and Pakistan faced off in a Hong Kong Sixes 2026 match on Friday, with the latter winning the match
India and Pakistan faced off in a Hong Kong Sixes 2026 match on Friday. The Hong Kong Sixes is an international, fast-paced six-a-side cricket tournament organized by Cricket Hong Kong, China and sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Pakistan captain Abbas Afridi won the toss and elected to bowl, restricting India to 88/5 in six overs despite a fiery 40-run knock off just 11 balls from Shashank Singh. In response, Pakistan chased down the target of 89 in just 3.5 overs, powered by Khawaja Nafay’s explosive 41 off 12 balls and a captain’s knock of 35 off just eight deliveries from Abbas Afridi, sealing a comfortable four-wicket victory. Interestingly, after the win, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the Pakistan team.
While any India-Pakistan contest draws widespread attention, the Hong Kong Sixes is neither a global tournament nor a continental event like the Asia Cup. Therefore, such praise from a senior politician for a victory in the Hong Kong Sixes drew intriguing reactions on social media. Notably, India have held the upper hand over Pakistan in recent Asia Cup meetings. In World Cups too, barring a defeat in 2021, India have won all the other contests.
“Congratulations to our boys on a superb four-wicket victory over India in the opening clash of the Hong Kong Sixes 2026! It was a good game of cricket. I also commend Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi @MohsinnaqviC42 and his team for their dedicated efforts in preparing and supporting our players,” Sharif wrote on X.
Congratulations to our boys on a superb four-wicket victory over India in the opening clash of the Hong Kong Sixes 2026! It was a good game of cricket
I also commend Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi @MohsinnaqviC42 and his team for their dedicated efforts in preparing and supporting our players.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) October 30, 2026
Here are some of the responses on social media.
Congratulations to our boys on a superb four-wicket victory over India in the opening clash of the Hong Kong Sixes 2026! It was a good game of cricket
I also commend Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi @MohsinnaqviC42 and his team for their dedicated efforts in preparing and supporting our players.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) October 30, 2026
Congratulations to our boys on a superb four-wicket victory over India in the opening clash of the Hong Kong Sixes 2026! It was a good game of cricket
I also commend Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi @MohsinnaqviC42 and his team for their dedicated efforts in preparing and supporting our players.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) October 30, 2026
Congratulations to our boys on a superb four-wicket victory over India in the opening clash of the Hong Kong Sixes 2026! It was a good game of cricket
I also commend Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi @MohsinnaqviC42 and his team for their dedicated efforts in preparing and supporting our players.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) October 30, 2026
Congratulations to our boys on a superb four-wicket victory over India in the opening clash of the Hong Kong Sixes 2026! It was a good game of cricket
I also commend Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi @MohsinnaqviC42 and his team for their dedicated efforts in preparing and supporting our players.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) October 30, 2026
Congratulations to our boys on a superb four-wicket victory over India in the opening clash of the Hong Kong Sixes 2026! It was a good game of cricket
I also commend Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi @MohsinnaqviC42 and his team for their dedicated efforts in preparing and supporting our players.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) October 30, 2026
Congratulations to our boys on a superb four-wicket victory over India in the opening clash of the Hong Kong Sixes 2026! It was a good game of cricket
I also commend Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi @MohsinnaqviC42 and his team for their dedicated efforts in preparing and supporting our players.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) October 30, 2026
Congratulations to our boys on a superb four-wicket victory over India in the opening clash of the Hong Kong Sixes 2026! It was a good game of cricket
I also commend Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi @MohsinnaqviC42 and his team for their dedicated efforts in preparing and supporting our players.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) October 30, 2026
Congratulations to our boys on a superb four-wicket victory over India in the opening clash of the Hong Kong Sixes 2026! It was a good game of cricket
I also commend Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi @MohsinnaqviC42 and his team for their dedicated efforts in preparing and supporting our players.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) October 30, 2026
Talking about the match, India opened their innings with Rahul Tripathi and Nitish Rana, getting off to a steady start with 11 runs in the first over. Muhammad Shahzad provided Pakistan with the first breakthrough in the second over, dismissing Tripathi for nine off five balls. Shashank Singh walked in at No. 3 and immediately made his presence felt, smashing 16 runs off just three deliveries to take India to 22 runs in the over despite the loss of a wicket.
Pakistan skipper Abbas Afridi took charge in the third over, showcasing his variations and keeping Nitish Rana in check with four dot balls while conceding just 11 runs. India reached 44/1 at the halfway stage, looking to accelerate in the remaining three overs and post a competitive total. Shashank continued his assault in the fourth over, plundering 24 runs, including three sixes and a boundary. However, with Nitish struggling on 19 off 14 deliveries, India opted to retire him out in the fifth over, bringing Rahul Tewatia to the crease.
Tewatia’s stay was short-lived as Abdul Samad dismissed him for a golden duck. The momentum swung further in Pakistan’s favour as India captain Krunal Pandya was dismissed for another golden duck off the very next delivery. Abdul conceded just 10 runs in the over, including four dot balls, restricting India to 78/4 after five overs. Shashank, who had anchored India’s innings with his aggressive hitting, was dismissed by Ahmed Daniyal off the first ball of the final over. With T. Natarajan the only batter left to face the remaining deliveries, India managed to add 12 runs to finish on 88/5 in six overs.
