The United Arab Emirates pulled off an impressive upset against India in the Bowl 2nd Match of the Hong Kong International Sixes on November 8, 2025, at Mong Kok. UAE successfully chased down India’s total of 107/3, reaching 111/2 in just 5.5 overs to win by 4 wickets. Nilansh Keswani was named Player of the Match for his excellent bowling figures of 2/11. The match showed UAE’s strength with both bat and ball as they dominated India in the Bowl competition after both teams failed to advance from their pool stages.
Scorecard
| Team | Score | Overs | Wickets | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 107/3 | 6.0 | 3 | Lost by 4 wickets |
| UAE | 111/2 | 5.5 | 2 | Won by 4 wickets |
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khalid Shah | UAE | Batsman | 50* (14 balls, 4 fours, 5 sixes) – Strike Rate: 357.14 |
| Abhimanyu Mithun | India | Batsman | 50 (16 balls, 4 fours, 5 sixes) – Strike Rate: 312.50 |
| Dinesh Karthik | India | Batsman | 42* (14 balls, 4 fours, 4 sixes) – Strike Rate: 300.00 |
| Nilansh Keswani | UAE | Bowler | 2/11 in 2 overs – Economy: 5.50 |
| Muhammad Arfan | UAE | Batsman | 20* (5 balls, 2 fours, 2 sixes) – Strike Rate: 400.00 |
Key Moments
- Early Collapse: India lost three wickets in the first two overs. Bharat Chipli (4), Stuart Binny (0), and Priyank Panchal (0) fell quickly, leaving India struggling at 12/3.
- Mithun-Karthik Partnership: Abhimanyu Mithun smashed a powerful 50 from just 16 balls before retiring hurt. Captain Dinesh Karthik added an unbeaten 42 to push India to 107/3.
- Nilansh Keswani’s Magic: The UAE bowler struck twice in his two-over spell, removing both Chipli and Binny while giving away just 11 runs, setting the tone for UAE’s victory.
- Khalid Shah’s Blitz: UAE captain Khalid Shah dominated with a brilliant 50 off 14 balls, matching Mithun’s heroics and putting UAE firmly in control of the chase.
- Finishing Touch: Muhammad Arfan finished the match in style with back-to-back sixes off Bharat Chipli in the final over, scoring 20 runs from just 5 balls to seal the win.
Match Analysis
India’s batting started poorly with three early wickets that left them in trouble. However, the middle-order fightback from Mithun and Karthik helped them post a competitive total of 107 runs. In the six-over format, this score looked defendable, but UAE had other plans.
UAE’s bowlers, led by Nilansh Keswani, kept India’s total below 120, which proved crucial. The chase was all about aggression from the start. Khalid Shah took charge immediately, racing to his fifty in just 14 balls. Even after losing Saghir Khan (31 off 11) and Ansh Tandon (2), UAE never lost momentum.
Muhammad Arfan’s explosive finish showed UAE’s depth in batting. His strike rate of 400 in the final moments made sure there was no late drama. India’s bowlers struggled to contain the boundaries, with only Stuart Binny taking a wicket.
What’s Next
This match was part of the Bowl competition, where teams that finished third in their pools compete for the Bowl trophy. Both India and UAE will continue in the Bowl League, playing more matches to determine the Bowl finalists. India will need to regroup quickly after losing to both Kuwait and UAE on November 8. UAE, on the other hand, will look to carry this winning momentum forward as they chase the Bowl title.
The Hong Kong International Sixes continues with quarterfinals and more Bowl matches scheduled for later on November 8 and November 9, 2025.