India endured a difficult start to their Hong Kong International Sixes campaign on Friday, falling to a four-wicket defeat against arch-rivals Pakistan in Kowloon after their batting order struggled to build momentum.
Sent in to bat first in the Group C fixture, India managed a total of 88 for five in their allotted six overs. The innings was rescued from complete collapse only by a blistering knock from Shashank Singh, who smashed an explosive 40 runs off just 11 deliveries. The rest of the top and middle order failed to fire, with opening batsman Rahul Tripathi contributing nine runs and Nitish Rana adding 19. Captain Krunal Pandya and Rahul Tewatia both failed to make a meaningful impact, leaving India with 88—the lowest total recorded during the tournament on Friday.
Pakistan made short work of the 89-run target, overhauling it in just 3.5 overs to finish at 91 for two. The successful chase was anchored by openers Khawaja Nafay, who contributed 41 runs off 12 balls, and Abbas Afridi, who hammered 35 runs off only eight deliveries. The pair combined for a whirlwind 59-run partnership that consumed just 13 balls.
The defining moment of the contest arrived in the very first over of Pakistan’s innings. Abbas Afridi launched Krunal Pandya for five consecutive sixes, completely shifting the momentum and taking the game away from India. Abdul Samad and Irfan Khan subsequently wrapped up the remaining runs to secure a comprehensive victory for Pakistan.
The win propelled Pakistan to the top of Group C standings, marking a sharp turnaround after they narrowly avoided elimination earlier in the day following a one-wicket defeat to the United Arab Emirates. Meanwhile, India slipped to the bottom of the group table.
India faces a must-win situation on Saturday when they take on the UAE in their second and final group-stage fixture. Group winners will advance directly to the tournament semi-finals, with the championship final scheduled for Sunday.
