Pakistan crush India in Hong Kong Sixes

Nafay and Abbas engineer explosive knocks to seal an emphatic win

Pakistan produced a breathtaking batting display to crush India by four wickets in their Hong Kong International Sixes Group C clash at Mission Road Ground on Friday.

The victory, their first from two, kept Green-shirts’ next round hopes alive.

Set to chase 89 Pakistan raced to the target in 3.5 overs with 13 balls to spare in a remarkable exhibition of power-hitting.

Khawaja Nafay led the charge with a blistering 41 off just 12 deliveries, striking five sixes and two fours. Captain Abbas Afridi provided equally destructive support, smashing 35 from eight balls, including five sixes and one four.

The pair put Pakistan firmly in control with an explosive 57-run partnership before Afridi fell for 35, caught by Natarajan off Shashank Singh in the third over.

Nafay followed shortly afterwards, dismissed for 41 by Rahul Tewatia, but the result was already beyond doubt. Abdul Samad and Irfan Khan completed the chase in emphatic fashion, with Irfan striking a six off his only delivery.

Earlier, India posted 88 for five after being asked to bat first.

Shashank Singh was the standout performer with the bat, hammering 40 from just 11 balls, including five sixes and two fours. Nitish Rana contributed 19 off 14 deliveries, while T Natarajan remained unbeaten on 12 from six balls.

India's innings gathered momentum through Shashank's explosive hitting, but Pakistan's bowlers managed to restrict the total to 88 despite the late fireworks.

Abdul Samad was the pick of Pakistan's bowlers, claiming 2-10 in his over. Ahmed Daniyal and Muhammad Shahzad took one wicket apiece.