HONG KONG (Kashmir English): Defending champions Pakistan will face arch-rivals India in the Hong Kong Sixes 2026, on October 30.
According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Abbas Afridi will lead the team for the six-a-side tournament.
This year’s event will be held at Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground in Hong Kong from October 30 to November 1.
Pakistan squad will depart for Hong Kong on October 28, according to officials.
Pakistan will compete alongside 11 other nations in the three-day tournament, featuring 12 sides in total.
The participating teams have been placed in four pools of three teams each, with Pakistan placed in Pool C alongside India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Pakistan clinched the coveted title last year, their sixth overall, by defeating Kuwait in the final.
Australia, host nation Hong Kong, China and England comprise Group A, while Bangladesh, Scotland and Sri Lanka are in Group B. South Africa, Oman and Afghanistan form Group D.
The opening day will feature nine matches, with the first game between Australia and Hong Kong, China scheduled for 5:45am as per Pakistan Standard Time (PST), followed by Bangladesh’s clash against Scotland at 6:40am.
Holders Pakistan will launch their campaign against the UAE at 7:35am PST on Friday, October 30, before taking on arch-rivals India at 11:15am on the same day.
The remaining group-stage fixtures will be completed on Saturday, October 31, with the first match between Oman and Afghanistan scheduled for 5:45am PST.
The knockout stage of the tournament will also get underway on Saturday, with the top-ranked teams from each group progressing to the Cup semi-finals.
The second-placed sides will contest the Plate semi-finals, while the third-placed teams will compete in the Bowl semi-finals.
The final day on Sunday, November 1, will feature the respective finals and placement matches. The Cup final is scheduled for 12:10am PST, while the Bowl and Plate finals will take place earlier at 10:20am and 11:15am, respectively.
Pakistan squad for Hong Kong Sixes
Mohammad Abbas Afridi (captain), Abdul Samad, Ahmed Daniyal, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Khawaja Nafay, Muhammad Shahzad and Saad Masood.
