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Paul McNamara

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.

“In six-over matches there’s always a chance for the smaller teams,” Shahzad added. “There was pressure in the final, but we tried to keep it simple.”
The real drama came immediately before the championship match. Hong Kong were competing in the plate after they lost their quarter-final to England on Saturday. Head coach Kaushal Silva’s team cruised past Afghanistan on Sunday morning, but in the final found themselves chasing 121.
The game looked up when they began the final over 30 runs shy of their target, with only one wicket remaining. Khan had retired after reaching 50, as rules dictate, but he returned to the crease after Hong Kong lost their fifth wicket and duly went berserk.
The 32-year-old began with three sixes from six balls, which included two wides from Banglasdesh skipper Akbar Ali. With the equation reduced to 10 needed from two balls, Khan launched a straight six, then clubbed the hapless Ali over mid-off to prompt a pitch invasion from his teammates and jubilation in the grandstand.
“The first few balls I just thought I would swing my bat, and after the first two sixes I was confident we could finish it,” Khan said. “The final two balls I felt the pressure, but I tried to stay calm and I’m so glad we finished with the win.”

Kaushal Silva, the Hong Kong head coach, said Khan was “one of very few players in Hong Kong with the ability to hit big sixes”.
“I believed in him; we’ve given him confidence and he backed his skills,” Silva added.
Sri Lankan Silva hoped the dramatic scenes would encourage more Hongkongers to regularly attend games, while he said the nature of the victory would invigorate a team that had previously been lacking wins in close contests.
“We were on the other side of the coin, so that will increase confidence and the players will open up and perform better,” Silva added.
Sri Lanka, winners last year, beat United Arab Emirates in the bowl final.
Burji Shroff, the chairman of Cricket Hong Kong, China, said the Sixes had been “the best we’ve held.”
“It’s been vibrant and the standard of cricket has been high,” Shroff added.
“Without doubt, we could not pull off such an extravagant, wonderful and successful event without the support of the Hong Kong government and our ‘M’ Mark status.
“This has been truly remarkable and we hope to make it better every year.”


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Pakistan win ‘wonderful’ Hong Kong Cricket Sixes, as explosive Aizaz Khan steals show

Pakistan celebrate with ecstatic fans after beating Kuwait to win the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Muhammad Shahzad sends down a delivery to Bilal Tahir of Kuwait. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong players mob Aizaz Khan after his plate final pyrotechnics. Photo: Jonathan Wong

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Hong Kong’s Chan Tsz-long (left) scores against Anhui in their semi-final loss on Saturday. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong’s Lau Kin-pan takes a shot against Anhui. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong coach Kim Ekdahl du Rietz called the Kai Tak Arena crowd “this lunatic house”. Photo: Elson Li

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Former basketballer Jeremy Lin, seen here at Rosewood Hotel in Hong Kong, is juggling running a fund and a not-for-profit foundation. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Jeremy Lin finished his career in August with the New Taipei Kings. Photo: Handout

Jeremy Lin (No 17) won the NBA title in 2019 with the Toronto Raptors. Photo: AP

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Sport

Cricket

Record sixth title for Pakistan following final success against Kuwait, hosts stun Bangladesh for plate title


Record sixth title for Pakistan following final success against Kuwait, hosts stun Bangladesh for plate title.


Hong Kong Cricket Sixes

Pakistan win ‘wonderful’ Hong Kong Cricket Sixes, as explosive Aizaz Khan steals show

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Record sixth title for Pakistan following final success against Kuwait, hosts stun Bangladesh for plate title

Record sixth title for Pakistan following final success against Kuwait, hosts stun Bangladesh for plate title