India’s hopes of claiming their first Hong Kong Super Sixes title are over as they fell to their second consecutive defeat, this time in a nail-biting clash against UAE.
After a comprehensive loss to Pakistan in their opening match, India faced a must-win scenario against UAE but couldn’t cross the finish line despite a spirited chase, going down by 1 run.
Winning the toss, India opted to bowl first and had a promising start, with Bharat Chipli dismissing UAE captain Asif Khan on the very first ball. However, India’s momentum quickly waned as Khalid Shah (42 off 10) and Muhammad Zuhaib (17 off 5) unleashed a brutal assault, putting on 58 runs in just two overs. UAE’s middle order continued to chip in, and Zahoor Khan’s explosive 37 off 11 balls provided a powerful finish, propelling UAE to a daunting total of 130 in their six overs.
Stuart Binny was India’s standout bowler, claiming three wickets for 31 runs in his two overs.
India’s reply began with a reshuffle, promoting Manoj Tiwary to open alongside Chipli, who was coming off an unbeaten fifty in the previous game. Chipli managed 20 before falling on the last ball of the first over, while Tiwary’s stay was brief, scoring just 10 off three balls. Captain Robin Uthappa took charge with a blistering 43 off 10 balls, smashing three fours and five sixes. But with partner Kedar Jadhav unable to find his rhythm, India’s progress stalled.
After Uthappa’s dismissal, Binny took over, hammering an impressive 44 off 11 balls. At the end of five overs, India needed 32 off the final six balls. After a wide and a four off the first two, the equation came down to 27 off five. Binny ignited hopes with four consecutive sixes off Asif Khan, narrowing the chase to three runs from the last ball. However, in a desperate dash for two runs to level the scores, Binny was run out, leaving India agonisingly short at 129-4.
With this narrow loss, India is now out of the title contention but continued in the tournament’s ‘Bowl’ competition of the Hong Kong Sixes, featuring third-placed teams from each group. Their chances of silverware are slim after a loss to England in that side of the draw and New Zealand up next.