HONG KONG (Kashmir English): Pakistan crushed India by four wickets in a breathtaking batting display in their Hong Kong Sixes Group C clash at Mission Road Ground on Friday.
The victory, their first from two, kept Green-shirts’ hopes for the next round alive.
Pakistan victory at Hong Kong Sixes
Set to chase 89, Pakistan raced to the target in 3.5 overs with 13 balls to spare in an excellent exhibition of power-hitting.
Khawaja Nafay led the charge with a blistering 41 off just 12 balls, striking five sixes and two fours. Captain Abbas Afridi provided equally storming support, smashing 35 from just eight balls, hitting five sixes and one four.
The pair put Pakistan in control with an explosive 57-run partnership before Afridi fell for 35 in the third over.
Nafay was 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 scored 88 for five after being asked to bat first.
Shashank Singh hammered 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 deliveries.
India gathered momentum through Shashank’s explosive hitting, but Pakistan’s bowlers managed to restrict the total to 88 despite the late fireworks.
Pakistan’s Abdul Samad claimed 2-10 in his over. Ahmed Daniyal and Muhammad Shahzad took one wicket apiece.
