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Paul McNamara

The revived Hong Kong Cricket Sixes has been tipped to inspire youngsters and breathe new life into the sport in the city.
Returning next month following a seven-year absence, the Sixes will feature mouthwatering matchups between India and Pakistan, and Australia and England.
South Africa, the reigning champions, and New Zealand are involved, too, with those powerhouse cricketing nations drawn in a three-team group with Hong Kong.
Simon Willis, the Hong Kong head coach, said the major countries had provided “outstanding support” for the Sixes. “They understand their obligation to grow the game worldwide and this is a great tool to do that,” Willis said.

“The Sixes has great history and tradition. We hope it whets the appetite of people watching in Hong Kong, as well as in mainland China and around Asia. We want people to think, ‘That looks exciting, I wouldn’t mind giving it a go.’ It is all about growing the game.”
The Sixes is being staged at Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground over three days from November 1.
Burji Shroff, the chairman of Cricket Hong Kong, China, said he expected a global television audience of 380 million, after the body struck a broadcasting arrangement with Star Sports.
The venue in Kowloon can hold around 3,100 people, raising the possibility of up to nearly 10,000 fans passing through the gates to watch a total of 29 matches over the competition.
Nizakat Khan, the Hong Kong captain, attended his first Sixes with his brother in 2004. He watched Najeeb Amar, who would coach him in primary school, shine for Hong Kong, along with his heroes from the Pakistan team, the swashbuckling batting pair of Imran Nazir and Shahid Afridi.
When the Sixes was last held in 2017, Nizakat was top scorer with 192, and player of the tournament.
“I was inspired by the Sixes as a kid … from going to it in 2004, it was my dream to play in it for Hong Kong,” Nizakat said.
“Because cricket is going to be in the Olympics [from 2028], more countries are taking it seriously. This is a big chance for youngsters to come to the ground, watch big teams and be inspired. It will be very good for the future of Hong Kong cricket.”
Nizakat acknowledged the Sixes was “coming at a critical time” for the Hong Kong team, squeezed between the T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup in Oman, and the 50-over World Cup Challenge League B in Uganda, where Willis’ team play their opening game on November 7.
Nizakat said the blink-and-you-miss-it format lent itself to underdogs upsetting the big guys. He was nevertheless looking forward to watching the box-office Pakistan versus India and England against Australia matches.
“Those are the biggest rivalries in cricket and the two biggest games,” Nizakat said. “I love watching them play and seeing how they execute their plans under pressure.”

The 12 nations are divided into four groups of three, with the top two in each advancing to the quarter-finals.
Shroff said he was “elated to bring the Hong Kong Sixes back to Hong Kong”.
“This has the potential to transform the cricketing landscape and shine a spotlight on cricket in regions like China, Japan and Korea,” Shroff added. “We are a sport gaining traction, especially after cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics.”


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Cricket Hong Kong

Hong Kong to host India v Pakistan and Australia v England at revived Cricket Sixes

The last edition of the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes is seen from above its then venue Kowloon Cricket Club in 2017. Photo: Getty Images

South Africa captain Aubrey Swanepoel is ecstatic as his side win the 2017 Sixes. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

Nizakat was inspired watching Pakistan batting firecracker Shahid Afridi at the 2004 sixes. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong cricket coach pays tribute to world-leading batting pair, hails young talent

Nizakat Khan is the leading run scorer in T20 international cricket in 2024. Photo: Cricket Hong Kong, China

Babar Hayat is flourishing after moving down the order to No 4. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong were knocked out of T20 World Cup qualifying this month. Photo: Malaysian Cricket Association

China links can help Hong Kong breathe new life into city’s cricket scene, coach Willis says

Hong Kong’s next major challenge starts in November in Uganda, when they will begin their bid to reach the 50-over World Cup. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Burji Shroff (front left) chairman of Cricket Hong Kong, China, and Liu Zhentao, chairman of the Shandong Small Ball Sports Federation at a ceremony marking the signing of a memorandum of understanding. Photo: Shandong Small Ball Sports Federation

Willis vowing Hong Kong will ‘work harder, smarter’ in bid to regain elite cricket status

Captain Nizakat Khan and his colleagues must quickly recover from their World Cup disappointment. Photo: Cricket Hong Kong, China

Willis is seeing individual improvement, but wants an end to collective lapses. Photo: Malaysian Cricket Association

Hong Kong are back in T20 action next month, before 50-over cricket takes centre stage in November. Photo: Handout

Chaos engulfs Hong Kong cricket after T20 World Cup failure and shock resignation

Hong Kong are out of contention for the next T20 World Cup 17 months before it gets under way. Photo: Malaysian Cricket Association

Hong Kong must make decisions over a number of players’ futures following their World Cup exit. Photo: Handout

Sport

Cricket

Hong Kong

Three-day event returns in November and features eight test-playing nations, raising hopes it will inspire next generation in the city


Three-day event returns in November and features eight test-playing nations, raising hopes it will inspire next generation in the city.


Hong Kong Cricket Sixes

Olympics

Hong Kong to host India v Pakistan and Australia v England at revived Cricket Sixes

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Three-day event returns in November and features eight test-playing nations, raising hopes it will inspire next generation in the city

Three-day event returns in November and features eight test-playing nations, raising hopes it will inspire next generation in the city