Pakistan captain Abbas Afridi produced a record-breaking performance to guide his team to a dramatic four-wicket victory over Kuwait in their Hong Kong International Sixes opener at Mission Road Ground, Mong Kok on November 7, 2025. Chasing a challenging 124 runs in just six overs, Pakistan found themselves struggling at 57/1 after four overs before Afridi unleashed a historic assault, smashing six sixes in a single over bowled by Yasin Patel. The explosive over, which included a no-ball, yielded 38 runs and turned the match completely in Pakistan’s favor. Afridi finished unbeaten on 55 off just 12 balls, featuring eight sixes and one four, before retiring hurt. Shahid Aziz then sealed the victory with an unbeaten 23 off five balls, while Khawaja Nafay contributed 25 off 11 balls.
Sources: ESPNcricinfo, ProPakistani, GeoSuper TV
Match Scorecard
| Team | Score | Overs | Wickets | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kuwait | 123/2 | 6.0 | 2 | Lost by 4 wickets |
| Pakistan | 124/1 | 6.0 | 1 | Won by 4 wickets |
Player of the Match: Abbas Afridi (Pakistan) – 1/33 bowling & 55* batting
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abbas Afridi | Pakistan | Captain/All-rounder | 55* off 12 balls (8 sixes, 1 four) |
| Meet Bhavsar | Kuwait | Batsman | 41* off 14 balls (5 sixes, 2 fours) |
| Shahid Aziz | Pakistan | Batsman | 23* off 5 balls (3 sixes, 1 four) |
| Usman Patel | Kuwait | Wicketkeeper-batsman | 31* off 9 balls (3 sixes, 2 fours) |
| Khawaja Nafay | Pakistan | Wicketkeeper | 25* off 11 balls (2 sixes, 2 fours) |
Source: ESPNcricinfo Full Scorecard
Key Moments
- Kuwait’s explosive start as Meet Bhavsar and Bilal Tahir powered them to 123/2, with Bhavsar’s unbeaten 41 and Tahir’s quickfire 24 off six balls
- Pakistan’s strong opening as Khawaja Nafay and Muhammad Shahzad raced to 34/0 in two overs
- The turning point: Abbas Afridi’s historic sixth over assault against Yasin Patel, becoming the first player to hit six sixes in an over in Hong Kong Sixes history
- Pakistan needing a miracle at 57/1 after four overs, requiring 67 runs from 12 balls
- Afridi retiring hurt at 101/1 after his extraordinary 55 off 12 balls
- Shahid Aziz finishing the job with three sixes in the final over to secure victory
Match Analysis
This match showcased everything that makes the Hong Kong Sixes special: explosive batting, dramatic momentum shifts, and individual brilliance. Kuwait’s batting lineup fired on all cylinders, with Meet Bhavsar leading the charge with an unbeaten 41 that included five massive sixes. Their total of 123 looked highly competitive in the six-over format.
However, Abbas Afridi’s performance will be remembered as one of the greatest individual efforts in Hong Kong Sixes history. By all available accounts, this is the first time a batter has hit six sixes in an over during the competition. His ability to maintain composure under pressure and execute perfect shots repeatedly showed exceptional skill and mental strength.
The match also highlighted the unpredictable nature of six-over cricket, where a single over can completely change the game. Pakistan’s situation looked nearly hopeless before Afridi’s heroics, demonstrating that no target is safe in this format.
What’s Next
Pakistan will face arch-rivals India later today at 12:35 PM in what promises to be another thrilling encounter ProPakistani. With their captain in sensational form and team morale sky-high after this dramatic victory, Pakistan will be confident heading into the high-pressure clash. India, led by Dinesh Karthik, will need to find answers to Pakistan’s explosive batting lineup if they hope to progress from Pool C.
Kuwait, despite the loss, showed they can compete at this level with their aggressive batting approach. They will look to bounce back in their remaining pool matches and gain valuable experience in this prestigious tournament.