Daijiworld Media Network - Mong Kok
Mong Kok, Oct 30: India suffered a four-wicket defeat against defending champions Pakistan in their Group C clash at the 2026 Hong Kong Sixes on Friday, after Abbas Afridi smashed five consecutive sixes in the opening over of Pakistan's chase, bowled by Krunal Pandya.
Batting first after Pakistan elected to field, India posted 88 for five in their allotted six overs. Shashank Singh led the scoring with an explosive 40 off just 11 deliveries, but Pakistan chased down the target in only 3.5 overs, finishing at 91 for two.
Afridi launched the assault in the first over, hitting five successive sixes off Krunal to collect 30 runs. Khawaja Nafay added a single as Pakistan raced to 31 without loss after the opening over.
The onslaught continued in the second over against T Natarajan, with Afridi striking a boundary and a six as Pakistan reached 59 without losing a wicket in just two overs. Afridi eventually departed for 35 off eight balls, caught by Natarajan off Shashank Singh's bowling.
Nafay continued the attack, scoring 41 off 12 deliveries before Rahul Tewatia dismissed him in the fourth over. Abdul Samad and Irfan Khan then completed the chase, with Irfan sealing the victory with a six.
Earlier, India struggled to build momentum after being sent in to bat. Rahul Tripathi was dismissed for nine by Muhammad Shahzad, while Nitish Rana and Shashank attempted to stabilise the innings. Rana scored 19 off 14 balls before retiring out.
Shashank provided the major contribution, smashing five sixes and two boundaries in his 11-ball 40. However, India lost wickets towards the end of the innings, with Abdul Samad dismissing Rahul Tewatia and Krunal Pandya for ducks in the fifth over. Ahmed Daniyal then bowled Shashank in the final over.
T Natarajan remained unbeaten on 12 off six balls as India finished at 88 for five.
The defeat left India at the bottom of Group C, while Pakistan moved to the top with two points. Pakistan had earlier lost their opening match against the United Arab Emirates by two wickets.
India's final group match against the UAE on Saturday will be crucial to their hopes of reaching the semi-finals. A victory would leave all three teams in Group C with two points each, making net run rate the deciding factor for qualification.
The winners of the respective groups will advance to the semi-finals, with the tournament final scheduled for Sunday.