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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has on Friday (October 9) announced its squad for the Hong Kong Sixes 2026, with all-rounder Abbas Afridi appointed captain of the defending champions.
Pakistan will aim to defend their title in the fast-paced six-a-side tournament, which will take place at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground in Hong Kong from October 30 to November 1. Earlier, U19 Asia Cup 2026 schedule was announced.
Pakistan announce squad for Hong Kong Sixes 2026
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has picked the seven-member Pakistan squad for the upcoming Hong Kong Sixes 2026. The PCB confirmed that Pakistan will leave for Hong Kong on October 28 and compete against 11 other teams in the three-day competition in Hong Kong.
The official media release states: ???The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced the squad for the Hong Kong Sixes, with Abbas Afridi named captain for the six-a-side tournament, which will be held at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground in Hong Kong from 30 October to 1 November.???
Pakistan Squad:
Mohammad Abbas Afridi (captain), Abdul Samad, Ahmed Daniyal, Muhammad Shahzad, Saad Masood, Muhammad Irfan Khan, and Khawaja Nafay.
Team Manager: Raza Kitchlew
Pakistan won the 2025 edition and will enter the 2026 tournament as defending champions. With Abbas Afridi leading the side, Pakistan will look to deliver another strong performance and reclaim the title. Well, the India-Pakistan clash on October 30 adds extra excitement to the competition.
India and Pakistan drawn in same group
The Hong Kong Sixes 2026 will feature 12 nations divided into four groups of three teams each. Pakistan has been placed in Pool C alongside arch-rivals India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), making the group stage an exciting challenge for the defending champions.
The other participating teams are Australia, England, Hong Kong, China, Bangladesh, Scotland, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Oman, and South Africa. Amid this, PCB confirms PSL 12 dates, set to run from March 18 to May 2 in 2027.
Hong Kong Sixes 2026: All Four Pools
- Pool A: Australia, England, and Hong Kong, China
- Pool B: Bangladesh, Scotland, and Sri Lanka
- Pool C: India, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates
- Pool D: Afghanistan, Oman, and South Africa
Hong Kong Sixes rules explained
The Hong Kong Sixes is an international tournament organized by Cricket Hong Kong, China, and sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC). In this competition, each team fields six players and six over per innings.
All fielders except the wicketkeeper must bowl one over, while one selected bowler can bowl a second over that should not be successive. Batters usually have to retire after scoring 31 runs but can return if all their teammates are dismissed.
Wides and no-balls give the batting team an extra run and another delivery in the tournament.
Here's the complete Hong Kong Sixes 2026 Schedule:
| Date | Match / Stage | Matchup | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Oct 30 | Group A | Australia vs Hong Kong, China | 6:15 AM |
| Fri, Oct 30 | Group B | Bangladesh vs Scotland | 7:10 AM |
| Fri, Oct 30 | Group C | Pakistan vs United Arab Emirates | 8:05 AM |
| Fri, Oct 30 | Group D | South Africa vs Oman | 9:00 AM |
| Fri, Oct 30 | Group A | Hong Kong, China vs England | 9:55 AM |
| Fri, Oct 30 | Group B | Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka | 10:50 AM |
| Fri, Oct 30 | Group C | India vs Pakistan | 11:45 AM |
| Fri, Oct 30 | Group D | South Africa vs Afghanistan | 12:40 PM |
| Fri, Oct 30 | Group A | England vs Australia | 1:35 PM |
| Sat, Oct 31 | Group D | Oman vs Afghanistan | 6:15 AM |
| Sat, Oct 31 | Group B | Scotland vs Sri Lanka | 7:10 AM |
| Sat, Oct 31 | Group C | United Arab Emirates vs India | 8:05 AM |
| Sat, Oct 31 | Bowl, Semi Final 1 | B3 vs D3 | 9:00 AM |
| Sat, Oct 31 | Bowl, Semi Final 2 | A3 vs C3 | 9:55 AM |
| Sat, Oct 31 | Plate, Semi Final 1 | B2 vs D2 | 10:50 AM |
| Sat, Oct 31 | Plate, Semi Final 2 | A2 vs C2 | 11:45 AM |
| Sat, Oct 31 | Cup, Semi Final 1 | A1 vs C1 | 12:40 PM |
| Sat, Oct 31 | Cup, Semi Final 2 | B1 vs D1 | 1:35 PM |
| Sun, Nov 1 | 11th/12th Place Play-off | TBC vs TBC | 7:10 AM |
| Sun, Nov 1 | 7th/8th Place Play-off | TBC vs TBC | 8:05 AM |
| Sun, Nov 1 | 3rd/4th Place Play-off | TBC vs TBC | 9:00 AM |
| Sun, Nov 1 | Bowl, Final | TBC vs TBC | 10:50 AM |
| Sun, Nov 1 | Plate, Final | TBC vs TBC | 11:45 AM |
| Sun, Nov 1 | Cup, Final | TBC vs TBC | 12:40 PM |
