Date: Friday, November 7, 2025
Time: 3:35 PM Local (7:35 AM GMT / 1:05 PM IST)
Venue: Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground (Mission Road Ground), Mong Kok, Hong Kong
Format: Six-a-side, 6-over cricket
Tournament: Hong Kong International Sixes 2025 (Pool C)
Live Streaming: FanCode (India), Sony LIV
TV Broadcast: Sony Sports Network (India)
The Rivalry Continues
Cricket fans get ready for another India-Pakistan battle! This time, it’s in the exciting Hong Kong Sixes format. The two rivals will face each other in the opening Pool C match of the Hong Kong International Sixes 2025.
The Hong Kong Sixes is special because it’s super fast cricket. Each team has only six players, and each side bats for just six overs. This means non-stop action and big hitting from the first ball.
Confirmed Squads
India Squad (Led by Dinesh Karthik)
According to official announcements from Cricket Hong Kong China and confirmed by multiple sources including ESPNcricinfo and India TV News:
- Dinesh Karthik
- Robin Uthappa
- Stuart Binny
- Bharat Chipli
- Shahbaz Nadeem
- Priyank Panchal
- Abhimanyu Mithun
Note: R Ashwin was originally selected but withdrew due to a knee injury that also ruled him out of the BBL.
Pakistan Squad (Led by Abbas Afridi)
Based on official announcements from multiple cricket news sources:
- Abbas Afridi
- Abdul Samad
- Khawaja Mohammad Nafay
- Maaz Sadaqat
- Mohammad Shahzad
- Saad Masood
- Shahid Aziz
Source: Multiple cricket news outlets including Crictoday, Free Press Journal, Cricxtasy, and India TV News have confirmed these squads.
Players to Watch
| Player | Team | Role | Recent Hong Kong Sixes Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bharat Chipli | India | Batter | 156 runs in 5 matches, Average 39, Strike Rate 318.36 |
| Robin Uthappa | India | Batter | 145 runs in 5 matches, Average 36.25, Strike Rate 371.79 |
| Stuart Binny | India | All-rounder | 4 wickets in 5 matches, Economy 18.33 |
| Muhammad Akhlaq | Pakistan | Wicketkeeper (likely) | 173 runs in 4 matches, Average 86.5, Strike Rate 298.27 |
| Asif Ali | Pakistan | Batter (likely) | 87 runs in 4 matches, Average 29, Strike Rate 362.5 |
| Faheem Ashraf | Pakistan | All-rounder (likely) | 7 wickets in 7 matches, Economy 5.09 |
Note: Some Pakistan players in the stats table (Akhlaq, Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf) are not in the officially announced squad. They may have played in previous editions.
What to Expect
Fast-Paced Action: With only six overs per side, every ball counts. Expect big hitting right from the start. Teams can’t waste time settling in.
Experience vs Youth: India has brought experienced players like Dinesh Karthik, Robin Uthappa, and Stuart Binny who know pressure situations. Pakistan has mixed their team with young talent and experienced campaigners like Abbas Afridi.
Bowling Will Be Key: In such a short format, taking early wickets is super important. The team that bowls tight lines and picks up early wickets will have a big advantage.
India’s History: India has won the Hong Kong Sixes only once, back in 2005. They’ll want to start this tournament strong against their biggest rivals.
Pakistan’s Form: Pakistan reached the final last year but lost to Sri Lanka. They’ll come with confidence and determination.
Match Prediction
This will be a close contest. Both teams have good experience and match-winners. However, India’s batting depth with Karthik, Uthappa, and Chipli might give them a slight edge in this short format.
The team that handles pressure better in the death overs will likely win. Expect a high-scoring thriller with the match going down to the final over.
Predicted Winner: India (by a narrow margin)
Tournament Context
This match is part of Pool C, which also includes Kuwait. The top two teams from this group will advance to the knockout stage. Both India and Pakistan will be favorites to progress, but they’ll want to start with a win to build momentum.
The Hong Kong Sixes runs from November 7-9, 2025, featuring 12 teams divided into four pools. Sri Lanka are the defending champions.
Don’t Miss: This is the kind of match that creates unforgettable moments. Make sure to tune in at 1:05 PM IST on FanCode or Sony LIV!