Abbas Afridi Named Pakistan Captain for Hong Kong Sixes Title DefenceSports

Pakistan enters the event as defending champions, having clinched last year’s edition to lift their sixth Hong Kong Sixes title overall by defeating Kuwait in the final. The green shirts have traditionally been one of the strongest sides in the six-a-side format, where each match is reduced to quick-fire overs and big hitting decides outcomes.

Holders Pakistan will open their campaign against the UAE at 7:35am Pakistan Standard Time on Friday, October 30, before the much-awaited group-stage clash against India at 11:15am on the same day. The remaining group fixtures will be completed on Saturday, October 31, and the knockout stage will also begin that day.

The top-ranked teams from each group will progress to the Cup semi-finals, while the second-placed sides will contest the Plate semi-finals and the third-placed teams will compete in the Bowl semi-finals. The finals of all three categories are scheduled for Sunday, November 1.

<h2>Pool line-up</h2> Group A comprises Australia, hosts Hong Kong (China) and England, while Bangladesh, Scotland and Sri Lanka have been placed in Group B. Group D features South Africa, Oman and Afghanistan. Nine matches are scheduled for the opening day, beginning with Australia versus Hong Kong (China) at 5:45am Pakistan time.

<h2>Pakistan squad</h2> The squad selected by the PCB includes Mohammad Abbas Afridi (captain), Abdul Samad, Ahmed Daniyal, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Khawaja Nafay, Muhammad Shahzad and Saad Masood, with Raza Kitchlew named as team manager.

Afridi will lead a young group in a format that rewards fearless strokeplay and clever bowling variations. The India-Pakistan group encounter on October 30 is expected to be the highlight of the opening day, giving fans an early glimpse of the rivalry in the shortest format of the game.