Afghanistan Win Maiden Hong Kong Sixes Title With Four-Wicket Win Over Australia

Afghanistan have won the Hong Kong Sixes for the first time [1][2]. They beat Australia by four wickets in the Cup final in Mong Kok on Sunday, November 1 [1][2]. Afghanistan chased a target of 116 and finished on 119 for 2 in 5.1 overs [1][2]. The win completed an unbeaten run through the tournament [1][2].

Australia batted first after winning the toss and posted 115 for 4 in their six overs [1][2]. Max Bryant led their innings with 44 from 14 balls [1][2]. Alex Ross finished unbeaten on 29 from 10 balls [1]. Nick Hobson added 23 from 8 balls, according to CricTracker [2].

Key facts

Afghanistan lost two wickets early in the chase [1]. Karim Janat made 13 from five balls and captain Gulbadin Naib made 17 from six balls [1]. Imran Mir then took the game away from Australia [1][2]. He finished unbeaten on 53 from only 14 balls, hitting seven sixes and two fours [1]. Farmanullah Safi finished unbeaten on 26 from seven balls, hitting four sixes [1]. Imran Mir was named player of the match [1].

Afghanistan are the eighth nation to lift the Hong Kong Sixes trophy [1][2]. They had never won the tournament in its 34-year history before Sunday [1]. Twelve teams contested the 22nd edition from October 30 to November 1 [1]. The final was played at the Mission Road Ground in Mong Kok [1][2].

Context

Afghanistan beat South Africa by three wickets in their group opener, chasing 108 [1]. They also beat Oman in the group stage [1][2]. In the semi-final, Afghanistan posted 121 and held Scotland to 100 to win by 21 runs [1]. CricTracker also records the semi-final win over Scotland as the route into the final [2]. The unbeaten campaign covered the group stage and the knockout rounds [2].

Pakistan, the defending champions, finished fifth [1]. They won the Plate final, beating Oman by 18 runs after posting 154 for 4 against 136 for 4 [1]. Scotland took third place in the Cup bracket, beating the United Arab Emirates by 45 runs [1]. South Africa won the Bowl bracket, beating England by nine wickets [1]. Hong Kong beat Sri Lanka by one run in the seventh-place play-off [1]. India finished 11th after beating Bangladesh by five wickets in the 11th-place play-off [1].

What happens next

The result gives Afghanistan a first Hong Kong Sixes title [1][2]. Australia finish as runners-up in the Cup bracket [1]. The final standings place Scotland third, the United Arab Emirates fourth and Pakistan fifth [1]. Afghanistan leave Hong Kong as the new champions after a tournament in which they did not lose a match [1][2].

Verified: 2026-11-01

Disclosure: This article was drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by a human editor. Facts reflect sources available on the verified date; developing stories may have new details — check the cited sources for updates.

Sources: Sporting News | CricTracker