In a thrilling semi-final encounter at the Hong Kong Sixes, Pakistan edged out Australia by a single run to storm into the final. The contest, held on Sunday at the Mission Road Ground in Mong Kok, witnessed extraordinary drama in the final over, as Australia required 30 runs from six balls. After smashing 23 runs off the first four deliveries, Australia seemed on course for a stunning win, but Abdul Samad held his nerve to deliver two exceptional balls and seal victory for Pakistan.
Batting first after losing the toss, Pakistan posted a commanding total of 121 for 2 wickets in their allotted overs. Australia’s chase ended heartbreakingly close, finishing at 120 for 5, just one run short of the target.
Pakistan’s Batting Performance
Pakistan’s innings was built on explosive starts from Abdul Samad and Khawaja Nafay. The duo tore into the Australian bowlers, setting up a massive platform.
| Batter | Balls | Runs | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khawaja Nafay | 14 | 50 | 1 | 7 |
| Abdul Samad | 13 | 34 | 2 | 4 |
| Abbas Afridi (c) | 5 | 19 | 0 | 3 |
Khawaja Nafay’s blitzkrieg fifty came off just 14 balls, featuring seven towering sixes, while Samad complemented him with a fiery 34 off 13. Captain Abbas Afridi provided the finishing flourish, smashing 19 runs from just five deliveries.
Australia’s Reply
Australia’s chase started poorly as they lost three wickets for just 32 runs. However, a spirited counterattack led by captain Alex Ross and all-rounder Chris Green brought the game back to life.
| Batter | Balls | Runs | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Green | 12 | 46 | 3 | 5 |
| Alex Ross (c) | 8 | 36 | 3 | 4 |
| Andrew Tye | 5 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
Ross blazed his way to 36 off 8 balls, including three boundaries and four sixes, while Green played an even more explosive innings—46 from 12 balls with five sixes. Their efforts, however, fell agonisingly short as Abdul Samad bowled a composed final over to seal the one-run victory.
The Road to the Final
With this dramatic win, Pakistan secured their place in the final of the Hong Kong Sixes tournament. In the second semi-final, England and Kuwait faced off to determine who would meet Pakistan in the title clash.
Pakistan’s all-round brilliance—fearless batting at the top and nerve-holding death bowling—has made them strong contenders for the championship. As they prepare for the final, the team’s confidence is soaring, fuelled by the belief that this narrow escape against Australia could be the defining moment of their campaign.