Pakistan secured their sixth Hong Kong Sixes title on Sunday, defeating Kuwait by 43 runs in a thrilling final at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground in Kowloon, Hong Kong.
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Batting first, Pakistan posted 135-3 in six overs, powered by explosive hitting from skipper Abbas Afridi, who scored 52 off just 11 balls, including seven sixes and four fours. Opener Abdul Samad contributed 42 runs off 13 balls, while Khawaja Nafay added 22 from six deliveries, smashing two fours and as many sixes. Meet Bhavsar claimed three wickets for Kuwait, the only significant resistance from the opposition.
In reply, Kuwait struggled to match the required pace despite earlier strong performances against India and England in the tournament. Adnan Idrees made 30 off eight balls, Bhavsar scored 33 off 12, and captain Yasin Patel contributed 14 runs. Pakistan’s bowling attack, led by Maaz Sadaqat who took three wickets for 29 runs, alongside Abbas Afridi and Mohammad Shahzad picking one wicket each, restricted Kuwait to fall short of the target.
Abbas Afridi’s stellar performance earned him both the player-of-the-match and player-of-the-tournament awards, highlighting his critical role in Pakistan success.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan survived a nail-biting semi-final against Australia, edging past the hosts by just one run. Khawaja Nafay’s blazing 50 off 14 balls propelled Pakistan to 121 for 2, while disciplined bowling in the final overs sealed their spot in the final.
The victorious Pakistan team received prize money of $20,000, while Kuwait, as runners-up, were awarded $15,000. The tournament featured 12 teams, including South Africa, Afghanistan, Nepal, Australia, England, UAE, India, Pakistan, Kuwait, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong (China).
With this win, Pakistan reinforced their dominance in the Hong Kong Sixes, showcasing aggressive batting, tight bowling, and exceptional teamwork throughout the competition.
