HONG KONG (Web Desk) - Defending champions Pakistan have been eliminated from the main Cup competition at the Hong Kong Sixes 2026 after finishing second in Group C, despite securing a convincing victory over arch-rivals India.
The Abbas Afridi-led side saw their hopes of defending the title and claiming a seventh championship come to an end following a narrow defeat against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in their opening group fixture.
Pakistan suffered a dramatic one-wicket loss to the UAE on Friday despite posting an imposing 106 for three in their allotted six overs.
Captain Abbas Afridi led from the front with a blistering 53-run innings to set up a challenging target of 107.
However, the UAE successfully chased down the target on the final delivery, handing Pakistan a defeat.
Pakistan bounced back strongly in their second group encounter against India, producing a dominant performance with both bat and ball.
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Their bowlers restricted India to 88 for five before the defending champions comfortably chased down the target in just 3.5 overs, reaching 91 for two.
Khawaja Nafay top-scored with an aggressive 41, while Afridi contributed a rapid 35 to seal an emphatic eight-wicket victory.
However, Pakistan's win proved insufficient to secure qualification after the UAE defeated India in their final group match.
India managed 95 runs, but the Emirates side completed the chase without losing a wicket in just four overs.
Under the tournament's format, only group winners qualify for the main Cup semi-finals, while second-placed and third-placed teams advance to the Plate and Bowl semi-finals, respectively.
Pakistan will now turn their attention to the Plate competition, where they are scheduled to face hosts Hong Kong in the second semi-final on Saturday.