A blistering start

Pakistan produced a devastating display of power-hitting to beat India by four wickets in their Hong Kong Sixes Group C clash at Mission Road Ground, Mong Kok, on Friday 30 October. Chasing 89, Pakistan reached the target in only 3.5 overs with 13 balls to spare. Captain Abbas Afridi set the tone in the very first over, striking five consecutive sixes off India captain Krunal Pandya, as the opening over yielded 31 runs and the contest was effectively settled within minutes.

India's innings

India, batting first after Pakistan won the toss and chose to field, managed 88 for five from their six overs, the lowest total posted on the tournament's opening day. Shashank Singh provided the only sustained resistance, hammering 40 from 11 balls, but the rest of the batting line-up could not build on his fireworks. Abdul Samad was the pick of Pakistan's bowlers with two wickets for 10 runs in his over, keeping India in check despite the late hitting.

What it means for Group C

The win keeps Pakistan's title defence alive after they had lost their opening match to the United Arab Emirates by one wicket earlier the same day. Khawaja Nafay finished unbeaten on 41 from 12 balls, Afridi made 35 from eight, and Irfan Khan struck the winning six from his only delivery. Pakistan now sit at the top of Group C, while India must beat the UAE on 31 October by a wide margin to stay in contention for the semi-finals, with the tournament final scheduled for 1 November.

Sources: Wisden | CricTracker