Tournament: Hong Kong International Sixes 2025 (Pool A)
Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025
Time: 5:45 AM GMT | 1:45 PM Local Time
Venue: Mission Road Ground (Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground), Mong Kok, Hong Kong
Format: Six-a-side, 6 overs per innings
Tournament Context
Nepal and South Africa meet in their second Pool A match of the Hong Kong Sixes 2025. Both teams have already played Afghanistan, with Afghanistan crushing South Africa by 49 runs and defeating Nepal by 17 runs on November 7. This makes Saturday’s match crucial for both teams’ chances of reaching the knockout stages.
The Hong Kong Sixes uses a unique format where teams have only six players and bat for just six overs. Batters must retire not out at 50 runs but can return if all other wickets fall, and when five wickets are lost, the last batter continues with a runner.
Confirmed Playing Squads
Nepal (Captain: Sundeep Jora)
According to official squad announcements from multiple sources:
Confirmed Squad (Source: Wisden, Cricket Winner):
- Sundeep Jora (c, wk)
- Sharad Vesawkar
- Lokesh Bam (wk)
- Rashid Khan
- Mohammad Aadil Alam
- Basir Ahamad
- Rupesh Singh
South Africa (Captain: Jordan Morris)
Confirmed Squad (Source: Wisden, Cricket Winner):
- Jordan Morris (c)
- Abdullah Bayoumy (wk)
- Ethan-John Cunningham
- Mbulelo Dube
- Kashief Josephs (wk)
- Blake Simpson
- Jorich van Schalkwyk
Note: The squads listed here are the official 7-player squads confirmed by tournament organizers. Only 6 players will take the field at any time.
Venue & Weather Conditions
Pitch Report:
The Mission Road Ground in Mong Kok typically offers good batting conditions with even bounce. In the six-over format, teams regularly post totals between 80-120 runs. On November 7, Afghanistan scored 148/2 in six overs against South Africa, showing the ground favors aggressive batting.
Weather Forecast:
Hong Kong in early November typically sees temperatures around 24-25°C with moderate humidity. There were rain interruptions on November 7, so weather could be a factor. Teams should be prepared for possible Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) calculations if rain affects play.
Players to Watch
| Role | Player | Team | Why Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batter | Sharad Vesawkar | Nepal | Experienced middle-order batter who can anchor the innings |
| Batter | Jorich van Schalkwyk | South Africa | Listed as top-order batter, likely to open and set the tone |
| Bowler | Rashid Khan | Nepal | Made history on November 7 by taking the first-ever hat-trick in Hong Kong Sixes and recording the best bowling figures in tournament history against Afghanistan |
| Bowler | Ethan-John Cunningham | South Africa | All-rounder who can contribute with both bat and ball |
| All-rounder | Lokesh Bam | Nepal | Middle-order batter who provides balance to the lineup |
| All-rounder | Mbulelo Dube | South Africa | Can chip in with crucial runs and useful overs |
Recent Form
Nepal:
Lost to Afghanistan by 17 runs on November 7. Despite the loss, Rashid Khan’s historic hat-trick showed Nepal has bowling firepower that can trouble any batting lineup.
South Africa:
Lost heavily to Afghanistan by 49 runs after being restricted to 99 runs while chasing 148. The Proteas need to bounce back quickly to stay in contention.
What to Expect
This is a must-win game for both teams after losing their opening matches to Afghanistan. The team that bats first will look to post 100+ runs on what appears to be a batting-friendly surface.
Nepal has momentum with Rashid Khan’s sensational bowling performance, but South Africa has more experience in high-pressure situations. The Proteas will want their batters to fire after a disappointing showing against Afghanistan.
Expect aggressive batting from both sides right from the first ball. With only six overs, there’s no time for cautious starts. The team that handles pressure better in the middle overs will likely come out on top.
Match Prediction
Predicted Winner: South Africa by a narrow margin
South Africa has a slightly more balanced squad with quality all-rounders like Jorich van Schalkwyk and Ethan Cunningham. However, Nepal’s Rashid Khan is a genuine match-winner who can turn the game on its head with both bat and ball.
If Nepal wins the toss, they should bowl first to use Rashid Khan’s confidence and try to defend a competitive total. South Africa will fancy chasing under lights if weather permits a full game.
Key Factor: The team that starts well in the powerplay (first 2 overs) will have a huge advantage in this short format.
Where to Watch
Live Streaming: FanCode (India), Cricket Hong Kong YouTube channel
TV Broadcast: Sony Sports Ten 5 (India)
Note: This preview is based on official squad announcements and match information available as of November 8, 2025. Weather conditions and final playing XIs may change. Please check official channels for last-minute updates.