HONG KONG: The complete match schedule for the Hong Kong Sixes 2026, the 22nd edition of the tournament, was announced on Friday, October 2, with defending champions Pakistan set to play both of their group-stage matches on the opening day, against the United Arab Emirates and India, Geo Super reported.
All 25 matches will be played at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground from October 30 to November 1, 2026. The 12-team tournament has been divided into four groups of three.
Pakistan’s fixtures
Pakistan have been placed in Group C alongside India and the UAE. The holders will begin their title defence against the UAE at 7:35 AM Pakistan Standard Time on Friday, October 30, before facing arch-rivals India at 11:15 AM on the same day.
The opening match of the tournament will see Australia take on hosts Hong Kong, China at 5:45 AM PST, followed by Bangladesh’s clash against Scotland at 6:40 AM. Nine matches are scheduled on the opening day, with the remaining group-stage fixtures completed on Saturday, October 31.
The groups
Group A comprises Australia, hosts Hong Kong, China and England. Group B features Bangladesh, Scotland and Sri Lanka, while Group D includes South Africa, Oman and Afghanistan.
India, who meet Pakistan in the biggest game of the opening day, will be led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar at the tournament.
The knockout stage gets underway on Saturday, with the top-ranked teams from each group progressing to the Cup semi-finals. The second-placed sides will contest the Plate semi-finals, while the third-placed teams will compete in the Bowl semi-finals.
Pakistan’s Hong Kong Sixes 2026 title defence
Pakistan enter the tournament as the reigning champions, having lifted the title last year by defeating Kuwait in the final. It was the country’s sixth Hong Kong Sixes crown overall, making the Greenshirts the most successful side in the competition’s history.
The PCB had earlier named Abbas Afridi to captain Pakistan’s seven-man squad for the tournament.
The six-a-side assignment comes in the middle of a busy home season for Pakistan’s white-ball sides, with the national team also hosting Sri Lanka in a T20I series and an ODI tri-series involving England and Sri Lanka scheduled later in October. Sahibzada Farhan’s side opened the T20I series with a win over the visitors.
A 45-minute sprint
The Hong Kong Sixes is played in the fastest format of the game. Each side fields six players and bats for five overs, with every player except the wicketkeeper required to bowl one over. Batsmen must retire at 31 but can return once the rest of the batting side has been dismissed or retired, and a full match takes around 45 minutes to complete.
The tournament was first played in 1992 and returned in 2024 after a seven-year break, with the number of teams increased to 12 in the recent editions. It is organised by Cricket Hong Kong, China and is sanctioned by the International Cricket Council.
FAQs
When does the Hong Kong Sixes 2026 start?
The tournament runs from October 30 to November 1, 2026, at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground in Hong Kong, with all matches played across three days.
Who is in Pakistan’s group at the Hong Kong Sixes 2026?
Pakistan are in Group C with India and the United Arab Emirates. They play both group matches on Friday, October 30: against the UAE at 7:35 AM PST and India at 11:15 AM PST.
How does the Hong Kong Sixes format work?
Each team has six players and bats for five overs, with each player except the wicketkeeper bowling one over. Batsmen retire at 31 and a match takes about 45 minutes. Group winners go to the Cup semi-finals, runners-up to the Plate and third-placed sides to the Bowl.
How many times has Pakistan won the Hong Kong Sixes?
Pakistan are defending champions after beating Kuwait in last year’s final, and their win was the country’s sixth Hong Kong Sixes title overall.
