Abbas Afridi to captain Pakistan at Hong Kong SixesSports

The seven-member squad comprises Mohammad Abbas Afridi (captain), Abdul Samad, Ahmed Daniyal, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Khawaja Nafay, Muhammad Shahzad and Saad Masood. Raza Kitchlew has been appointed as the team manager for the tour.

Afridi, a right-arm seamer known for his skills in the shorter formats, will lead a youthful outfit that mixes emerging talent with players who have experience in high-pressure T20 cricket. The Hong Kong Sixes, with its five-over format, is regarded as one of the most explosive events on the cricket calendar and rewards aggressive batting, sharp fielding and clever variations with the ball.

Pakistan arrive in Hong Kong with recent memories of success at the event. According to tournament coverage, Pakistan lifted the title at the previous edition, defeating Kuwait in the final after earlier edging out Australia by a single run in the semifinal and South Africa in the quarterfinal stage. That run reinforced Pakistan’s reputation as one of the strongest sides in the six-a-side format.

The UAE have also announced their squad for the tournament, with Khalid Shah named captain of their seven-member team. The UAE have been drawn in Group C alongside Pakistan and India, setting up an early clash between the two neighbours.

Under the announced schedule, Pakistan open their campaign against the UAE on the morning of October 30, followed by the UAE’s fixture against India a day later. The semifinals for the Bowl, Plate and Cup categories are set for October 31, with the playoffs and finals concluding the tournament on November 1.

The PCB’s selection of a youthful squad reflects the board’s continued emphasis on developing depth in the shorter formats, giving fringe players a chance to test themselves in international conditions. With the tournament’s condensed format, Pakistan’s team management will be hoping that the side’s attacking instincts can carry them deep into the knockout stages.