Pakistan Knocked Out of Hong Kong Sixes Cup Race
Defending champions Pakistan have been knocked out of the main Cup race at the Hong Kong Sixes 2026, ending their bid for a seventh title.
Pakistan finished second in Group C after the United Arab Emirates won both their group matches to take the only Cup semi-final place on offer. The result came despite Pakistan’s convincing win over India in their second match on Friday.
Geo reported that Pakistan will now compete in the Plate tournament, where they are scheduled to face hosts Hong Kong in the second Plate semi-final on Saturday.
How the Hong Kong Sixes 2026 group was decided
The group turned on Friday’s opening match at Mission Road Ground in Mong Kok, which Pakistan lost to the UAE. Pakistan posted 106 for 3 in their six overs after captain Abbas Afridi struck 53 off 13 deliveries, including eight sixes. Abdul Samad added 39 off 15 balls.
The UAE chased down the 107-run target on the final delivery to win by one wicket, Geo Super reported. Their captain, Khalid Shah, led the reply with 71 off 20 deliveries, including nine sixes and three fours, while Zahid Ali added 22 off eight balls. Afridi, Samad and Irfan Khan Niazi took one wicket each, but Pakistan could not defend the total.
Pakistan then hit back against India later on Friday. India were held to 88 for 5 in their six overs, with Shashank Singh top-scoring with 40 off 11 deliveries. Samad took 2 for 10 in his one over, while Ahmed Daniyal and Mohammad Shahzad claimed one wicket each.
Afridi set the tone for the chase with five consecutive sixes in the opening over from Krunal Pandya, which yielded 31 runs. Khawaja Nafay struck 41 off 12 balls and Afridi made 35 off eight as Pakistan reached 91 for 2 in just 3.5 overs, sealing their win over India.
Why the India win was not enough
The win over India kept Pakistan in contention, but it could not change the group order. The UAE then beat India as well, chasing down a 95-run target without losing a wicket in four overs to finish top of the group with two wins from two matches.
Under the tournament format, only each group winner reaches the main Cup semi-finals. The runners-up move into the Plate competition, while the third-placed teams contest the Bowl. Pakistan, as Group C runners-up, therefore drop into the Plate draw despite their wide-margin win over India.
What the Plate still offers
Pakistan have won the event six times, including last year’s final victory over Kuwait. A seventh title was the target when Afridi posed with the trophy alongside the other captains on October 29.
The Plate trophy now gives them a title to play for on the final weekend. They meet hosts Hong Kong in the second Plate semi-final on Saturday, and the tournament concludes with its finals on Sunday, November 1.
The Sixes campaign has run alongside a busy stretch for Pakistan cricket at home, with the President’s Trophy final at Lahore Gymkhana and the ODI tri-series in Lahore both part of the same week.
Frequently asked questions
Why are Pakistan out of the Cup race after beating India?
Only each group winner reaches the main Cup semi-finals. The UAE won both their Group C matches, so they took the single place on offer, and Pakistan finished second.
Who do Pakistan play next at the Hong Kong Sixes?
Hosts Hong Kong, in the second Plate semi-final on Saturday.
How does the Hong Kong Sixes format work?
Each side fields six players and bats for six overs. Twelve teams play in four groups of three. Group winners reach the Cup semi-finals, runners-up go into the Plate, and third-placed teams contest the Bowl.
How many Hong Kong Sixes titles have Pakistan won?
Six, including last year’s final victory over Kuwait. Pakistan were bidding for a seventh title in 2026.
