Pakistan win ‘wonderful’ Hong Kong Cricket Sixes, as explosive Aizaz Khan steals show
Record sixth title for Pakistan following final success against Kuwait, hosts stun Bangladesh for plate title
Pakistan thumped Kuwait by 43 runs to win a “wonderful and extravagant” Hong Kong Cricket Sixes, but the city team’s Aizaz Khan stole the show after he creamed 30 off the final over to earn an improbable plate final victory for the hosts over distraught Bangladesh.
Runners-up last year, Pakistan went one better this time after captain Abbas Afridi’s unbeaten 11-ball 52 helped them pile up 135 for three in the final.
Kuwait began quickly in reply but after Muhammad Shahzad hurried a ball through the defence of Adnan Idrees, the underdogs folded from 33 for 0 to 92 all out.
Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground was full to its 2,720 capacity on all three days of the tournament, with Pakistan receiving loud and colourful backing on their way to claiming a record sixth title.
“Pakistan fans around the world always come to support us; we thank them and we’re happy to give this championship to them,” Shahzad said.
The 21-year-old all-rounder praised skipper Afridi for “leading from the front”, and said there had been no danger of his team succumbing to complacency after they had beaten Australia by one run in a gripping semi-final. Kuwait had enjoyed a 37-run last-four victory over England.