Pakistan beat India in HK Sixes preliminary match

HONG KONG - Pakistan beat India by 22 runs in the preliminary round match on the opening day of Hong Kong Cricket Sixes tournament.

“It’s always good to start with a win… For a first game, it was a good performance from the guys and I’m pretty pleased,” the Dawn quoted Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik, as saying.

Pakistan grabbed early high ground after India won the toss and chose to bowl. It scored 78 for 2, while India could garner only 56 runs in 4 overs.

Earlier, huge changes were made to the format of the popular tournament at the Kowloon Cricket Club on Saturday due to persistent rain, which led to the cancellation of more than three-quarters of the programme. Poor weather resulted in a switch to four overs per innings from five.

Meanwhile, all eight teams got a run on first day, with Sri Lanka, Hong Kong and South Africa joining Pakistan as winners.

While Sri Lanka knocked off 77 runs needed for victory over New Zealand, hosts Hong Kong, chasing 61, hammered England with a five-wicket win.

South Africa chased down Australia’s 73-run total for loss of three wickets, scrambling through for a single on final ball of match to clinch the match.

Organisers have kept options open in view of the rainy weather.

“If rain stays away, we will play remaining eight pool games on Sunday, with top two going into Cup semi- finals. But if there are any more interruptions, we have to go straight into Cup final with winners of each pool progressing,” said tournament director Adam Davies.(ANI)