India win a thriller on DLS against Pakistan in Hong Kong Sixes after rain plays spoilsport
Pakistan seemed to be well on their way to chase down 87 against India in their Group C clash in the Hong Kong Sixes, but fell agonisingly short of the DLS target by just a couple of runs. Two teams out of three will qualify for the quarter-finals from each of the four groups.
Robin Uthappa and Stuart Binny played key roles as India edged Pakistan in a rain-affected clash in the Hong Kong Sixes by just a couple of runs at the Mission Road Ground on Friday, November 7. Pakistan seemed to be on the track to chase down 87 in their stipulated six overs, with Abdul Samad helping his side score 16 runs in the third over. However, the umpires' patience wore off and they decided to call the groundsmen, with the rain arriving and it stayed for the night to deny any further possibility of a game.
After three overs, the DLS target was 44 after losing a wicket and Pakistan had scored 41, hence fell short by just a couple of runs. The second over of the innings, bowled by Stuart Binny, which had India concede just seven runs, while getting a wicket, played a key role in restricting Pakistan in the first half of their chase.
Samad had just started getting the momentum and needing 46 off the last 18 deliveries, Pakistan would have fancied their chance to win the game; however, it wasn't to be.
Pakistan chased down 124 against Kuwait and began their campaign with a win. If Kuwait beat India, it could be a three-way tie in Group C and the top two teams with the better NRR will go ahead. Kuwait challenged Pakistan to the hilt and it required a superhuman effort from Afridi and Shahid Aziz to chase the total down and hence, if the rain stays away, India will need to double the effort to beat the Kuwaiti side.
In other groups, Hong Kong and Bangladesh qualified from Group D, Australia and England qualified from Group B, while Afghanistan did so from Group A. Three more teams will be confirmed on Saturday morning with India taking on Kuwait and Nepal being up against South Africa in Group A.