A heartbreaking end for the Bangladesh cricket team in the Hong Kong Sixes Plate Final! With just 17 runs required for victory, Bangladesh captain Akbar Ali faced a nightmare in the final over, conceding five sixes that handed Hong Kong a dramatic win by one wicket.
What looked like a certain victory for Bangladesh turned into disbelief as Ehsan Khan and Ijaz Khan launched a sensational counterattack. Ijaz, in particular, was unstoppable—striking the first three sixes off consecutive balls from Akbar. The over yielded a staggering 32 runs, sealing Bangladesh’s fate and crowning Hong Kong the Plate Champions.
Final Match Situation
| Team | Required Runs (Final Over) | Key Performer | Runs Scored | Balls Faced | Not Out | Sixes | Fours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | 17 | Ijaz Khan | 85 | 21 | Yes | 11 | 4 |
Ijaz Khan’s explosive innings of 85 not out off just 21 deliveries featured 11 sixes and 4 fours, a knock that will long be remembered for its sheer power and composure under pressure.
Bangladesh Innings
Earlier, after losing the toss at Mission Road Ground, Bangladesh posted a challenging 120 runs from 6 overs. Captain Akbar Ali led the charge with a blistering 51 off 13 balls, including 7 sixes and 1 four.
Supporting knocks came from:
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akbar Ali (c) | 51 | 13 | 1 | 7 |
| Abu Hider | 28 | 8 | 2 | 3 |
| Zishan Alam | 27 | 7 | 3 | 2 |
Bangladesh’s innings was full of intent and aggression, setting a target that seemed defendable—until that fateful final over.
Tournament Overview
The Hong Kong Sixes 2025 featured 12 teams, divided into Cup, Bowl, and Plate divisions. The results of the finals were as follows:
| Division | Winner | Runner-up | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cup | Pakistan | Kuwait | 43 runs |
| Bowl | Sri Lanka | – | – |
| Plate | Hong Kong | Bangladesh | 1 wicket |
Despite the narrow defeat, Bangladesh’s performance throughout the tournament showed promise, particularly from their younger players. Akbar Ali’s aggressive batting and the team’s fearless approach suggest that brighter days are ahead for Bangladesh in this exciting short-format version of the game.
In summary, Bangladesh may have fallen short at the final hurdle, but their fighting spirit and attacking brand of cricket won many hearts. Hong Kong, however, deservedly celebrated a stunning comeback and a memorable triumph in front of their home crowd.