Pakistan has qualified for the semi-finals of the Hong Kong International Sixes tournament after defeating South Africa by 17 runs on Saturday. The semi-finals and final will take place tomorrow.
In this match at Mission Road Ground, Muhammad Akhlaq’s explosive half-century and solid bowling performance secured Pakistan’s victory. Batting first, Pakistan scored an impressive 105 runs for 3 wickets in just six overs despite a shaky start. Both openers, Asif Ali and Faheem Ashraf, were out for golden ducks, leaving the team at 8 for 2.
Muhammad Akhlaq changed the game with his aggressive batting. Partnering with Hussain Talat, he smashed seven sixes and two fours, reaching his fifty in only 16 balls before retiring. Pakistan was in a strong position at 66 for 2 after four overs.
In the final overs, all-rounders Aamer Yamin and Talat contributed important runs to lift Pakistan’s total to 105. Yamin scored 18 runs off six balls, while Talat finished unbeaten with 27 off 11.
Facing a challenging target of 104 runs, South Africa struggled early on, losing two wickets in the first two overs, including captain JJ Smuts, and managing only 12 runs. Evan Jones fought back with a quick 41 runs off 13 balls, hitting five sixes, but he was out after a partnership of 48 runs with Modiri Litheko. This double blow left South Africa at 88 for 4 by the end of their innings.
Hussain Talat excelled with the ball, taking two wickets, while Shahab Khan and Aamer Yamin claimed one each, securing Pakistan’s win.
With this victory, Pakistan remains unbeaten in the tournament, having previously defeated the UAE by 13 runs and arch-rivals India by six wickets.
