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Paul McNamara

Australia reached the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes semi-finals after resisting the hosts’ brave attempt to chase down a target of 130 in Saturday’s first quarter-final.
The Aussies’ last-four opponents will be Pakistan, who maintained their bid for a record sixth title with a straightforward 17-run victory over defending champions South Africa.
Sri Lanka crushed Nepal in the third quarter-final, before Bangladesh beat United Arab Emirates in controversial fashion as the light closed in on Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground.
India, meanwhile, were knocked out of the tournament after a breathtaking finish to their closing Pool C match against the UAE.
Chasing 131 for victory, in what was essentially a quarter-final after both teams lost to Pakistan on Friday, India needed 32 runs off the final over to reach their target.

Stuart Binny struck four successive sixes but requiring three off the final ball, he was limited to a single by off-break bowler Asif Khan.
India’s day went from bad to worse when they crumbled to a pair of defeats against England and New Zealand in the secondary Bowl competition.
Australia v Hong Kong
Dan Christian played a captain’s innings, as Australia overcame the blow of losing Jack Wood to the first ball of the innings to post a daunting 129 for three from six compelling overs.
Sam Heazlett’s ramp over the fine-leg boundary for a maximum was the shot of the innings, but the clean-hitting Christian pounded six sixes in a sizzling 15-ball knock of 53.
Fawad Ahmed launched the only two balls he faced into the stands and an undefeated 45 from 12 deliveries from Alex Ross took Australia to a total that ultimately proved beyond the hosts.
Nizakat Khan, nonetheless, defied illness to loft spinner Ahmed for five straight sixes in a characteristically elegant unbeaten 51 from 12 balls. Zeeshan Ali, who clobbered the first ball of Hong Kong’s reply over the midwicket boundary, took 19 balls for his 51, but needing 24 from the final over for victory, the home team could muster only 10 runs and went down to a 13-run loss.
Pakistan v South Africa
Pakistan were rocking at eight for two early in their innings, after both captain Faheem Ashraf and Asif Ali, who climbed into the bowling of United Arab Emirates and India on Friday, were dismissed for first-ball ducks.
Opener Muhammad Akhlaq’s defiant 53 from 16 balls featured seven sixes and helped his team claw their way to a below-par total of 105-3.
Pakistan struck two significant blows early in the South African reply, however, with the opening duo of Jacques Snyman and captain JJ Smuts dismissed for five and six, respectively.
The 2017 Sixes champions never recovered, despite Evan Jones compiling an unbeaten 13-ball 41, and finished on 88-4 to lose by 17 runs.
Nepal v Sri Lanka
Nepal’s joyous Sixes journey crashed to a juddering half following a desperate batting performance against tournament dark horses Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankans scored a useful 123-2, with Sandun Weerakkody the star turn after the opener walloped an explosive 50 not out.
One of the competition’s leading performers, the skilful Nepalese left-arm medium-pacer Pratis Gharti Chhetri, claimed one for 29 from two good overs. His lone scalp, Thanuka Dabara, was the victim of a wonderful, flying boundary catch from Lokesh Bam.
Nepal were never in the hunt during their reply. After beating Australia earlier in the day, to add to a fine win over England on day one, they were hustled out for 83 with one over of their allocation left unused. Nepal slumped to 48 for five but Rashid Khan thumped eight sixes in an 18-ball 55 to lift his team to respectability. He could not, however, prevent a 40-run loss.
Bangladesh v United Arab Emirates
UAE were furious after they were stopped in their tracks midway through their reply to Bangladesh’s total of 111-1.
There was confusion over the target set for UAE, who were unclear over whether they were chasing an adjusted total in reduced time, as darkness descended over Mong Kok.
They had reached 43-3 after 3.2 overs, with Sanchit Sharma going nicely on 25 from six balls, when the umpires decided the light had deteriorated too far to continue.
Bangladesh, then, claimed the victory on net run rate, to the delight of their exuberant supporters, to set up a semi-final date with Sri Lanka on Sunday.


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Pakistan fans enjoying their team’s progress to the semi-finals. Photo: CHKC

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Pakistan’s Muhammad Akhlaq (left) batting against India at the Hong Kong Sixes on Friday. Photo: Dickson Lee

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Nizakat Khan’s Hong Kong side upset New Zealand to make Saturday’s quarter-finals. Photo: Dickson Lee

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Hong Kong players celebrate taking a wicket in their game against New Zealand. Photo: Dickson Lee

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Nizakat Khan will captain hosts Hong Kong at this week’s Sixes tournament. Photo: Handout

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Nizakat is returning to Hong Kong for the Sixes before dashing to join his teammates in Uganda. Photo: Nizakat Khan

Sport

Cricket

Poor light brings last quarter-final to abrupt conclusion with Bangladesh claiming win on run rate. Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka through


Poor light brings last quarter-final to abrupt conclusion with Bangladesh claiming win on run rate. Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka through.


Hong Kong Cricket Sixes