Afghanistan won their maiden Hong Kong Sixes title after defeating Australia by four wickets in the Cup final at Mission Road Ground in Mong Kok on Sunday, November 1. Gulbadin Naib guided the Afghan team to their maiden title, becoming only the eighth country to lift the trophy.
Australia won the toss and elected to bat first, posting a total of 115/4 in their allotted six overs. Max Bryant was the top scorer for Australia with 44 runs off 14 balls. Chasing a target of 116, the Afghan side reached 119/2 in just 5.1 overs to complete a memorable victory.
Afghanistan Clinch Maiden Hong Kong Sixes Title
Australia posted 115/4 in their allotted six overs after batting first in the Cup final. Max Bryant top-scored with a blistering 44 off 14 balls, while Nick Hobson added 23 off eight deliveries. Alex Ross struck an unbeaten 29 off 10 balls.
Afghanistan batter Imran Mir smashed 53 off just 14 deliveries, including two boundaries and seven sixes. Farmanullah Safi smashed an unbeaten 26 off seven balls, including four sixes at a strike rate of 371.43. Captain Gulbadin Naib also contributed 17 off six deliveries, hitting two sixes.
Afghanistan eventually reached 119/2 in 5.1 overs, completing the chase with five balls to spare and securing their first Hong Kong Sixes championship. They joined a list of champions that includes Pakistan, England, South Africa, Sri Lanka, India, Australia and the West Indies.
Afghanistan Complete Unbeaten Run to Lift the Cup
Afghanistan went through the tournament unbeaten, beginning their campaign with a three-wicket victory over South Africa in their Group A opener. They chased down the target of 108 to make a winning start.
The Afghans followed it up with a four-wicket win against Oman in their second group fixture. Their bowling attack restricted Oman to 120, and the batters completed the chase in just 5.2 overs to book their place in the knockout stages.
Afghanistan then faced Scotland in the semi-finals and secured a convincing victory to advance to the top two. They posted 121 against Scotland before restricting their opponents to 100, sealing their place in the final. The victory <a href="https://cricket.international/how-can-india-qualify-for-wtc-2027-final-after-south-africas-series-win-over-australia/" title="How can India qualify for WTC 2027 final after South Africa's series win over Australia?”>over Australia completed a flawless campaign.
Abbas Afridi Leads Pakistan to Plate Championship
Pakistan claimed the Plate title after defeating Oman by 18 runs in the final. The Men in Green posted 154/4 in six overs, with captain Abbas Afridi leading the charge through a blistering 73 off 16 balls, including one boundary and 11 sixes. He retired before returning to the crease in the final over.
Abdul Samad added 32 off seven deliveries, including two boundaries and four sixes, while Khawaja Nafay scored seven off three balls, hitting one six. Ahmed Daniyal struck 25 off five deliveries with four sixes, and Irfan Niazi was dismissed for a first-ball duck.
Oman managed 136/4 in reply despite a strong opening partnership between Usman Ali and Zohaib Amanat. Usman smashed 67 off 17 balls, hitting four boundaries and eight sixes, while Amanat scored 61 off 18 deliveries, also striking three boundaries and eight sixes.
Oman captain Aamir Kaleem was the first batter dismissed, falling for a duck through a run-out by Ahmed Daniyal. The side also retired Sami Hassan, Shafiq Jan and Muzahir Khan to keep its leading batters at the crease.
Usman later returned to bat after the first wicket fell, prompting the retirements of the three lower-order batters. However, Oman finished 18 runs short. The six-time champions eventually finished fifth overall after claiming the Plate title.
Source: cricketaddictor.com
