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Cricket

Pakistan Head to Hong Kong Sixes 2026 as Defending Champions

Pakistan squad for Hong Kong Sixes 2026 led by Abbas Afridi

Pakistan’s seven-member squad is heading to Hong Kong for the Hong Kong Sixes 2026, where the defending champions will begin their campaign against the UAE before facing India on the opening day.

The three-day tournament will run from October 30 to November 1 at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground in Hong Kong.

All-rounder Mohammad Abbas Afridi will captain Pakistan in the six-a-side competition.

Pakistan Squad for Hong Kong Sixes 2026

The Pakistan Cricket Board has named the following seven-player squad:

  • Mohammad Abbas Afridi — captain
  • Abdul Samad
  • Ahmed Daniyal
  • Muhammad Irfan Khan
  • Khawaja Nafay
  • Muhammad Shahzad
  • Saad Masood

Team Manager: Raza Kitchlew.

Pakistan Are Defending Champions

Pakistan enter the 2026 tournament as defending champions.

They won the Hong Kong Sixes title in 2025 after defeating Kuwait in the final, taking their overall tally to six titles.

The team will therefore arrive in Hong Kong looking to successfully defend the crown.

Which Group Is Pakistan In?

Pakistan have been placed in:

Group C

alongside:

India

and

United Arab Emirates.

The 12 participating teams have been divided into four groups of three.

Pakistan’s Hong Kong Sixes Schedule

Pakistan will play both group matches on:

Friday, October 30

Pakistan vs UAE

10:35am Hong Kong time

which is approximately:

7:35am Pakistan time

India vs Pakistan

2:15pm Hong Kong time

approximately:

11:15am Pakistan time

The official Hong Kong Sixes fixture list confirms both opening-day matches.

Pakistan vs India on Opening Day

The second match is likely to generate the biggest interest for Pakistani cricket fans.

India and Pakistan will meet in the short-format competition after Pakistan first face the UAE earlier in the day.

With only three teams in each group, both matches will be important in determining whether Pakistan advance into the Cup, Plate or Bowl section of the tournament.

How Does Hong Kong Sixes Work?

The Hong Kong Sixes is a fast-paced cricket tournament played with six players per side.

The 2026 edition features:

12 teams

4 groups

and

25 matches

over three days.

After the group phase:

  • group winners progress to the Cup semi-finals;
  • second-place teams play in the Plate semi-finals; and
  • third-place teams move into the Bowl semi-finals.

Every team therefore continues playing after the initial group stage.

Participating Teams

The tournament includes:

Group A: Australia, Hong Kong China, England

Group B: Bangladesh, Scotland, Sri Lanka

Group C: Pakistan, India, UAE

Group D: South Africa, Oman, Afghanistan.

When Is the Final?

The tournament concludes on:

Sunday, November 1, 2026

with Bowl, Plate and Cup finals scheduled on the final day.

The Cup final is scheduled for 3:10pm Hong Kong time, or approximately 12:10pm Pakistan time.

Pakistan will begin their Hong Kong Sixes title defence on October 30 under the captaincy of Abbas Afridi.

Their opening Group C programme gives fans two matches on the same day — first against the UAE and then the highly anticipated fixture against India.

With Pakistan entering as defending champions, the short three-day tournament gives the team an immediate opportunity to add another Hong Kong Sixes title to its record.

Anas Ahmed

Writes on Sports and Current affairs. Nature Lover, Full Time Single and Part Time Developer

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