LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the national squad for the Hong Kong Sixes, with Mohammad Abbas Afridi appointed captain for the six-a-side tournament.
The tournament will take place at Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground in Hong Kong from October 30 to November 1. Pakistan will depart for Hong Kong on October 28.
A total of 12 teams will compete in the three-day event. Organisers have divided the teams into four groups of three, with Pakistan placed in Group C.
Pakistan to Face India and UAE
Defending champions Pakistan will face India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the group stage.
Pakistan won last year’s title by defeating Kuwait in the final, securing their sixth Hong Kong Sixes championship overall.
Group A features Australia, Hong Kong, China and England. Bangladesh, Scotland and Sri Lanka make up Group B, while South Africa, Oman and Afghanistan form Group D.
Pakistan will begin their campaign against the UAE at 7:35am Pakistan Standard Time (PST) on Friday, October 30. They will then face arch-rivals India at 11:15am the same day.
The opening day’s schedule includes nine matches. Australia will face hosts Hong Kong, China, in the first match at 5:45am PST, followed by Bangladesh’s clash with Scotland at 6:40am.
Knockout Stage Begins on Saturday
The remaining group-stage matches will take place on Saturday, October 31. Oman and Afghanistan will open the day’s action at 5:45am PST.
The knockout stage will also begin on Saturday. The top teams from each group will advance to the Cup semi-finals.
Meanwhile, the second-placed teams will compete in the Plate semi-finals, while the third-placed sides will contest the Bowl semi-finals.
The tournament will conclude on Sunday, November 1, with the finals and placement matches. The Cup final is scheduled for 12:10pm PST, while the Bowl and Plate finals will take place at 10:20am and 11:15am, respectively.
Pakistan Squad
- Mohammad Abbas Afridi (captain)
- Abdul Samad
- Ahmed Daniyal
- Muhammad Irfan Khan
- Khawaja Nafay
- Muhammad Shahzad
- Saad Masood
