Pakistan defeated Oman by 18 runs in the Plate final of the Hong Kong Sixes 2026 at Mission Road Ground in Mong Kok on Sunday, claiming the second-tier title after falling short in the defence of their main championship crown.
Captain Abbas Afridi led from the front with a storming 73 off just 16 deliveries, an innings of one four and 11 sixes, as Pakistan posted 154-4 in their allotted six overs, according to GEO TV.
How the Plate final unfolded at Mong Kok
Batting first, the Men in Green set Oman a mountain to climb. Abdul Samad struck 26 off five balls with two boundaries and three sixes, while opener Khawaja Nafay made seven off three deliveries including a six.
Ahmed Daniyal added a rapid 25 off five deliveries with four sixes, and Muhammad Shahzad contributed 13 off four balls with two sixes. Irfan Niazi fell for a first-ball duck. Afridi retired during his assault and returned to the crease in the final over to finish the job.
Oman replied with 136-4 in their six overs. Usman Ali smashed 67 off 17 deliveries with four boundaries and eight sixes, and Zohaib Amanat made 61 off 18 balls with four boundaries and eight sixes. Their opening stand threatened to overturn the target, but the required runs kept climbing.
Aamir Kaleem, the Oman captain, fell for a duck after a run-out effected by Ahmed Daniyal. Sami Hassan, Shafiq Jan and Muzahir Khan were retired out as Oman shuffled its batters to keep the big hitters at the crease, but the chase fell 18 runs short, as Daily Pakistan reported.
A campaign of fire that fell one step short
Six-time champions Pakistan came to Hong Kong with the main title in their keeping, and they leave with work undone. The Green Shirts finished fifth in the tournament standings, consigned to the Plate competition after the group stage.
The setback began with a defeat against the UAE in their Group C opener. Pakistan posted 106-3, with Afridi hammering 53 off 13 deliveries including one four and eight sixes. Yet the UAE chased down the 107-run target with ease, as captain Khalid Shah smashed 71 off 20 deliveries with three fours and nine sixes.
Pakistan's victory over arch-rivals India
Then came the fixture that stirs every Pakistani heart. Pakistan defeated arch-rivals India in their second Group C match, chasing down 89 in just 3.5 overs with only two wickets down.
Khawaja Nafay blazed 41 off 12 deliveries with two fours and five sixes, while Afridi remained unbeaten on 35 off eight balls with one four and five sixes. Whenever the green flag meets the saffron, our boys have answered with bat and belief.
Yet the UAE's win over India sealed Pakistan's fate in the group, sending the Emiratis into the main trophy competition and relegating Pakistan to the Plate, as The News Pakistan reported.
Plate semi-final: a resounding answer
In the Plate competition, Pakistan faced hosts Hong Kong in the second semi-final and won without losing a wicket. Chasing 107, the Green Shirts reached the target with Afridi once again at the front of the column, unbeaten on 55 off 13 deliveries with three fours and seven sixes.
That win carried Pakistan into the Plate final, where Oman awaited. On Sunday the men in green completed the assignment with a margin that reflected their superiority, an 18-run triumph confirmed by Minute Mirror.
What the Plate title means for Pakistan cricket
The Plate crown is silver, not gold. Pakistan travelled to Hong Kong as defending champions and six-time winners of this competition, and a fifth-place finish will not satisfy a nation that measures its cricketers against the highest standard.
Still, there is honour in how this side responded. After the group-stage disappointment, Afridi's men did not lower their heads. They swept through the Plate rounds with clean strokes and cold nerve, and they closed the campaign with silverware in hand.
Afridi's tournament with the bat deserves its own record. Across the campaign he hammered fifties in the group opener against the UAE, the semi-final against Hong Kong and the final against Oman, an exhibition of power hitting that made him the heartbeat of this side.
The Hong Kong Sixes 2026 now closes for Pakistan. The Plate title is secured, the main crown has passed to another, and the men in green return home with both a trophy and a lesson.
FAQ
Who won the Hong Kong Sixes 2026 Plate final?
Pakistan won the Plate final, defeating Oman by 18 runs at Mission Road Ground in Mong Kok on Sunday.
What did Abbas Afridi score in the Plate final?
Abbas Afridi scored 73 off 16 deliveries, hitting one four and 11 sixes, before retiring and returning in the final over.
Did Pakistan beat India at the Hong Kong Sixes 2026?
Yes. Pakistan chased down India's 88-5 in just 3.5 overs with two wickets down in their Group C match.
Where did Pakistan finish in the Hong Kong Sixes 2026?
Pakistan finished fifth overall after failing to defend their main title, winning the Plate championship instead.