Hong Kong:

India lost by six wickets to arch-rivals Pakistan in their opening match of the Hong Kong Sixes 2024 at the Tin Kwong Road Cricket Ground here on Friday. India scored 119 for to in their allotted six overs riding on Bharat Chipli’s 53 off 16, who retired hurt. Captain Robin Uthappa also notched up 31 off eight deliveries. But it was a total dominance from the Pakistan batters as they chased down the target with one over to spare. Asif Ali played a key role as his brisk knock of 55 off 14 balls laid the foundation for a comprehensive win.

Asif Ali retired after scoring a fifty and rest of the job was done by Muhammad Akhlaq (40 not out off 12) and Faheem Ashraf (22 not out off 5). 

The Hong Kong Sixes 2024 kicked off with an electrifying start at Tin Kwong Road Cricket Ground, where Day 1 featured explosive performances from the batters.

The opening match between hosts Hong Kong and South Africa proved highly entertaining, with both teams displaying aggressive batting. Hong Kong batted first, posting a formidable 92/0 in 6 overs, with Zeeshan Ali remaining unbeaten on 38 off 18 balls, while skipper Nizakat Khan smashed 45* off 18. South Africa responded in style, chasing down the target with 3 wickets in hand in just 4.4 overs.

Jacques Snyman scored 27 off 10 balls, and captain JJ Smuts contributed 21 off 9. Modiri Litheko added 12 off 4, while Evan Jones (20* off 5) and Aubrey Swanepoel (10* off 2) completed the chase. Benny Paras took two wickets for Hong Kong, with Ehsan Khan picking up one.

Nepal stunned England in the day’s second match, clinching a 6-wicket victory after chasing down a target of 98 in just 4.2 overs. Captain and wicketkeeper-batter Sundeep Jora led the charge with a blistering 50 off 12 balls before retiring. Opener Lokesh Bam (20* off 11) and Rashid Khan (21* off 5) saw Nepal home comfortably.

Earlier, England struggled as Alex Davies fell for a first-ball duck, but veterans Ravi Bopara and Samit Patel countered with a 60-run partnership. Bopara scored 49 off 12 balls, while Patel added 39 off 17, taking England to 97/6 in 5.5 overs. Pratish GC claimed three wickets for Nepal, with Narayan Joshi, Lokesh Bam, and Bibek Yadav each taking one.

In another high-scoring encounter, Pakistan edged past UAE with a 13-run win. Led by Faheem Ashram, Pakistan posted 128/0 in 6 overs, with openers Muhammad Akhlaq (52 off 15) and Asif Ali (50 off 14) both retiring after half-centuries. UAE’s Muhammad Zuhaib responded with a quickfire 53 off 14 balls, but Asif Ali’s final over, yielding only 6 runs and taking two wickets, shifted the game in Pakistan’s favour. Aamer Yamin also contributed two wickets.

Sri Lanka secured a comfortable 4-wicket win over Oman in the fourth match of the day. Oman posted 80/2 in 6 overs, with captain Vinayak Shukla retiring after scoring 50 off 18 balls. Dhananjaya Lakshan and Lahiru Madushanka each took a wicket for Sri Lanka, who chased down the target in 4.1 overs, led by Sandun Weerakkody’s 28 off 7 balls.

Hong Kong redeemed themselves in the fifth match of the day, defeating New Zealand. The hosts scored a massive 127/4 in 6 overs, thanks to captain Nizakat Khan’s 62 off 16 balls and Sahal Malvernkar’s 51* off 20. Hong Kong’s bowlers then restricted New Zealand to 100/4, sealing a 27-run victory.

Former wicketkeeper-batter Robin Uthappa will lead the star-studded Indian team in the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes 2024. Kedar Jadhav, Stuart Binny, Manoj Tiwary, Shahbaz Nadeem, Bharat Chipli and Shreevats Goswami (wk) are the other squad members. With a mix of talent in batting and bowling, India will aim for their second title in the tournament. India last won the HK Sixes during the 2005 edition. The tournament began in 1992 and was last held in 2017 before being revived this year.

The 20th edition of the tournament will be played between 12 teams at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground. Other participating teams include Pakistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, Hong Kong, Nepal, New Zealand, Oman, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The competition has previously witnessed various legends of the game like Brain Lara, Wasim Akram, Shane Warne, Sachin Tendulkar, M.S. Dhoni, and Anil Kumble featuring for their respective teams. England and South Africa are the most successful teams with five titles each.

The tournament’s format is unique as matches are played between two teams of six players. Each game consists of a maximum of five overs for each side. But the title clash will see each team bowl five overs comprising eight balls, up from the six deliveries in normal matches. Barring the wicket-keeper, every member of the fielding side will have to bowl one over, while wides and no-balls will count as two runs. Batsmen are forced to retire at 31 but can come back in once all other batsmen have been dismissed or have retired.

India squad:

Robin Uthappa (c)

A veteran of limited-overs cricket, Uthappa has made significant contributions to Indian cricket with his explosive batting and sharp fielding. Known for his stunning performances in T20 formats, he played a crucial role in India’s 2007 T20 World Cup win.

Kedar Jadhav

An all-rounder with the ability to change the game, Jadhav is celebrated for his innovative batting style and handy off-spin bowling. He has been a key player in various IPL franchises and has represented India in ODIs and T20s, showcasing his skill in high-pressure situations.

Stuart Binny

A versatile all-rounder, Binny has represented India in Tests, ODIs, and T20s. Known for his powerful hitting and effective medium-pace bowling, he has also made a mark in the IPL, contributing both with bat and ball.

Manoj Tiwary

Tiwary is a talented batsman renowned for his elegant stroke play. He has been a stalwart in Indian domestic cricket and has had his share of international appearances, contributing significantly to India’s middle-order batting.

Shahbaz Nadeem

An accomplished left-arm spinner, Nadeem has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket and has represented India in ODIs. His ability to control the game with his spin bowling is a key asset for the team.

Bharat Chipli

Chipli, known for his aggressive batting style, has made notable contributions in domestic cricket and the IPL. His experience and ability to play big innings will be crucial in the fast-paced format of the Hong Kong Sixes.

Shreevats Goswami (WK)

A skilled wicketkeeper-batsman, Goswami has represented India at various levels and has been a vital player in domestic circuits. His quick reflexes behind the stumps and ability to score runs rapidly make him an invaluable player for the team.

India will take on arch-rivals Pakistan in their opening match of the tournament on November 1.