Abbas Afridi-led side beats South Africa, Australia and Kuwait; Muhammad Shahzad’s trophy celebration goes viral
Hong Kong: Pakistan bounced back strongly from their earlier defeat to India, winning three consecutive matches to lift a record sixth Hong Kong Sixes title on Sunday. The Abbas Afridi-led side defeated South Africa in the quarter-final, Australia in the semi-final and Kuwait in the grand finale of the 2025 edition.
This triumph makes Pakistan the most successful team in the tournament’s history, surpassing England and South Africa, who have each won five titles.
Muhammad Shahzad’s viral celebration
After the final win, Pakistan’s star cricketer Muhammad Shahzad drew attention with his lighthearted celebration. Emulating India all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s iconic pose from the T20 World Cup 2024 celebrations, Shahzad posted a photo on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption, “Fun end to the Hong Kong Sixes. Business as usual.”
The post quickly went viral, with fans from both sides engaging in playful banter online.
Pakistan’s road to glory
In the grand final, Pakistan produced a dominant all-round performance to defeat tournament debutants Kuwait by 43 runs. Batting first, Pakistan posted a commanding 135/3, led by explosive knocks from Abdul Samad (42 off 13 balls) and skipper Abbas Afridi (52 off 11 balls). Kuwait’s Meet Bhavsar impressed with the ball, claiming three wickets in a sharp spell.
Kuwait began their chase in thrilling fashion as Adnan Idrees smashed five sixes in the opening over, racing to 30 off just eight balls. However, Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack regained control, dismissing Kuwait for 92/6 to seal a memorable win and their sixth Hong Kong Sixes crown.
Redemption after India defeat
Pakistan’s only loss in the tournament came in the group stage against Dinesh Karthik-led India, where they fell short by two runs in a rain-affected clash decided by the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method.
Despite the setback, Pakistan regrouped quickly, displaying consistency and power-hitting in the knockout rounds. In contrast, India’s campaign faltered after their strong start, as they lost their next four matches and failed to progress beyond the group stage.
Historic achievement for Pakistan
The Hong Kong Sixes — a fast-paced six-a-side format known for its high entertainment value — has long been a platform for emerging and established stars. With this win, Pakistan have now etched their name in history, having secured titles in 1992, 1995, 1997, 2011, 2017, and 2025.
Cricket fans and former players hailed the team’s resilience and depth, with several highlighting Pakistan’s dominance in the shorter formats. Abbas Afridi’s leadership, combined with Shahzad’s energy and Samad’s explosive batting, was credited as the driving force behind the team’s success.
The victory not only reinforces Pakistan’s prowess in the Sixes format but also comes as a morale booster for their upcoming international assignments.