Hong Kong produced a strong performance to defeat Afghanistan by 5 wickets in the Plate 2nd Semi-Final of the Hong Kong International Sixes 2025 at Mission Road Ground, Mong Kok. Chasing a target of 96 runs, Hong Kong successfully reached 96/1 in just 5.4 overs, with 2 balls remaining. Anshy Rath led the chase with an unbeaten 45 runs off 17 balls, while captain Babar Hayat contributed 24 runs before falling to Gulbadin Naib. Afghanistan had earlier posted 95/5 in their allotted 6 overs, with Karim Janat top-scoring with 34 runs. The victory secured Hong Kong’s place in the Plate Final, showing their strong form in front of their home crowd.
Match Scorecard
| Team | Score | Overs | Wickets | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 95/5 | 6.0 | 5 | – |
| Hong Kong | 96/1 | 5.4 | 1 | Won by 5 wickets |
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anshy Rath | Hong Kong | Batsman | 45* (17 balls, 1 four, 6 sixes) |
| Karim Janat | Afghanistan | All-rounder | 34 (14 balls, 4 fours, 3 sixes) |
| Ehsan Khan | Hong Kong | Bowler | 3/27 (2 overs) |
| Nizakat Khan | Hong Kong | Batsman/Bowler | 24* (10 balls, 3 fours, 1 six) & 1/24 (1 over) |
| Babar Hayat | Hong Kong | Captain/All-rounder | 24 (8 balls, 4 sixes) & 1/12 (1 over) |
Key Moments
- Early Collapse for Afghanistan: Gulbadin Naib departed for just 4 runs in the first over, caught by Nizakat Khan off Ehsan Khan’s bowling, setting Afghanistan back immediately.
- Double Strike by Ehsan Khan: The Hong Kong spinner removed both openers in the first over itself, with Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai following Naib for a golden duck, leaving Afghanistan at 4/2.
- Janat’s Fighting Knock: Karim Janat played a counter-attacking innings of 34 runs off just 14 balls, including 4 fours and 3 sixes, to help Afghanistan recover to a competitive total.
- Hayat’s Flying Start: Hong Kong captain Babar Hayat blazed away with 24 runs off 8 balls, hitting 4 massive sixes to give the chase momentum before falling in the 3rd over at 44/1.
- Rath’s Match-Winning Partnership: After Hayat’s dismissal, Anshy Rath combined brilliantly with Nizakat Khan, adding an unbroken 52-run stand to guide Hong Kong home with ease.
- Clinical Death Bowling: Hong Kong’s bowlers restricted Afghanistan to just 13 runs in the final over, with Farmanullah (15) and Sharafuddin Ashraf (13*) unable to provide the late acceleration needed.
Match Analysis
Hong Kong’s bowlers set up the victory with disciplined bowling in the powerplay. Ehsan Khan was the star performer with the ball, claiming three crucial wickets for 27 runs in his 2-over spell. His early dismissals of both Gulbadin Naib and Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai put Afghanistan under pressure from the start. Although Karim Janat and Noor ul Rahman tried to rebuild with a 44-run partnership, Hong Kong’s varied bowling attack kept chipping away at the wickets.
In response, Hong Kong’s chase was aggressive from the outset. Captain Babar Hayat led from the front with a blazing cameo, smashing four sixes in his brief stay at the crease. When he departed, Anshy Rath took over the responsibility and played a composed yet attacking innings. His unbeaten 45 off just 17 balls, which included six sixes, showcased his ability to clear the boundary with ease in the six-over format.
Nizakat Khan provided excellent support at the other end, remaining unbeaten on 24 off 10 balls. The pair ensured there were no further hiccups as Hong Kong cruised to victory with 2 balls to spare. Afghanistan’s bowling lacked the bite needed to defend a modest total, with only Gulbadin Naib managing to break the partnership.
What’s Next?
Hong Kong will now face Bangladesh in the Plate Final after this impressive semi-final victory. The hosts will be confident after their dominant batting display and will look to continue their winning momentum. Afghanistan’s campaign in the tournament ends here, but they showed fighting spirit despite falling short in the knockout stages. The Plate Final promises to be an exciting contest as Hong Kong seeks to claim silverware in front of their home fans.
For Hong Kong, the form of Anshy Rath and the bowling of Ehsan Khan will be crucial in the final. Bangladesh defeated South Africa by 25 runs in the first Plate Semi-Final, setting up an intriguing clash between two competitive sides.
Tournament: Hong Kong International Sixes 2025
Venue: Mission Road Ground, Mong Kok, Hong Kong
Date: Sunday, November 9, 2025
Match Type: Plate 2nd Semi-Final