UAE Reaches Hong Kong Sixes Cup Semifinals to Face Australia

The United Arab Emirates emerged as the standout team in Group C at the Hong Kong Sixes 2026 tournament, defeating both Pakistan and India to advance directly to the Cup semifinals. As group winners, the UAE squad will face Group A winners Australia in the upcoming knockout stage.

The tournament format splits teams into three distinct knockout tiers determined by their final pool standings. By securing the top spot in Group C, the UAE remains firmly in contention for the main championship trophy, which will be decided on Sunday at the Mission Road Ground in Mong Kok.

The UAE's campaign began with a tightly contested victory over Pakistan. Pakistan posted 106 runs in their six overs, propelled by Abbas Afridi's 53 runs off 13 balls. In response, UAE captain Khalid Shah anchored the chase with an explosive 71 runs off 20 balls, guiding his team to a 109-for-five finish on the final delivery of the match.

Pakistan subsequently rebounded by defeating India in their second group fixture. Afridi contributed 35 runs off eight balls, featuring five sixes in a single over, alongside Khawaja Nafay's 41 runs off 12 balls to chase down 89 runs in just 23 deliveries.

India's fortunes worsened in their encounter against the UAE. Despite setting a target of 94 for six, the Indian side failed to defend it as Shah smashed 52 runs off 14 balls and Ansh Tandon added 39 off 12. The pair secured a comprehensive ten-wicket victory, chasing the target in only 4.2 overs without losing a single wicket.

These results disrupted expectations for the tournament, eliminating the defending champions from title contention. While the UAE advances to meet Australia in Cup Semi-Final 1 on Saturday, October 31, Pakistan and India were relegated to the lower-tier consolation rounds.

Pakistan finished second in the group and dropped into the Plate competition, where they are scheduled to face Group A runner-up Hong Kong in Plate Semi-Final 2. Meanwhile, India ended the group stage at the bottom following two heavy defeats under Krunal Pandya, dropping into Bowl Semi-Final 2 to play against England for a final ranking between ninth and twelfth place.