Hong Kong:

India lost by six wickets to arch-rivals Pakistan in their opening match of the Hong Kong Sixes 2024 at the Tin Kwong Road Cricket Ground here on Friday. India scored 119 for to in their allotted six overs riding on Bharat Chipli’s 53 off 16, who retired hurt. Captain Robin Uthappa also notched up 31 off eight deliveries. But it was a total dominance from the Pakistan batters as they chased down the target with one over to spare. Asif Ali played a key role as his brisk knock of 55 off 14 balls laid the foundation for a comprehensive win.

Asif Ali retired after scoring a fifty and rest of the job was done by Muhammad Akhlaq (40 not out off 12) and Faheem Ashraf (22 not out off 5). 

The Hong Kong Sixes 2024 kicked off with an electrifying start at Tin Kwong Road Cricket Ground, where Day 1 featured explosive performances from the batters.

The opening match between hosts Hong Kong and South Africa proved highly entertaining, with both teams displaying aggressive batting. Hong Kong batted first, posting a formidable 92/0 in 6 overs, with Zeeshan Ali remaining unbeaten on 38 off 18 balls, while skipper Nizakat Khan smashed 45* off 18. South Africa responded in style, chasing down the target with 3 wickets in hand in just 4.4 overs.

Jacques Snyman scored 27 off 10 balls, and captain JJ Smuts contributed 21 off 9. Modiri Litheko added 12 off 4, while Evan Jones (20* off 5) and Aubrey Swanepoel (10* off 2) completed the chase. Benny Paras took two wickets for Hong Kong, with Ehsan Khan picking up one.

Nepal stunned England in the day’s second match, clinching a 6-wicket victory after chasing down a target of 98 in just 4.2 overs. Captain and wicketkeeper-batter Sundeep Jora led the charge with a blistering 50 off 12 balls before retiring. Opener Lokesh Bam (20* off 11) and Rashid Khan (21* off 5) saw Nepal home comfortably.

Earlier, England struggled as Alex Davies fell for a first-ball duck, but veterans Ravi Bopara and Samit Patel countered with a 60-run partnership. Bopara scored 49 off 12 balls, while Patel added 39 off 17, taking England to 97/6 in 5.5 overs. Pratish GC claimed three wickets for Nepal, with Narayan Joshi, Lokesh Bam, and Bibek Yadav each taking one.

In another high-scoring encounter, Pakistan edged past UAE with a 13-run win. Led by Faheem Ashram, Pakistan posted 128/0 in 6 overs, with openers Muhammad Akhlaq (52 off 15) and Asif Ali (50 off 14) both retiring after half-centuries. UAE’s Muhammad Zuhaib responded with a quickfire 53 off 14 balls, but Asif Ali’s final over, yielding only 6 runs and taking two wickets, shifted the game in Pakistan’s favour. Aamer Yamin also contributed two wickets.

Sri Lanka secured a comfortable 4-wicket win over Oman in the fourth match of the day. Oman posted 80/2 in 6 overs, with captain Vinayak Shukla retiring after scoring 50 off 18 balls. Dhananjaya Lakshan and Lahiru Madushanka each took a wicket for Sri Lanka, who chased down the target in 4.1 overs, led by Sandun Weerakkody’s 28 off 7 balls.

Hong Kong redeemed themselves in the fifth match of the day, defeating New Zealand. The hosts scored a massive 127/4 in 6 overs, thanks to captain Nizakat Khan’s 62 off 16 balls and Sahal Malvernkar’s 51* off 20. Hong Kong’s bowlers then restricted New Zealand to 100/4, sealing a 27-run victory.

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on March 23 urged all political parties to set aside their differences to tackle the multiple problems faced by the cash-strapped country amidst increasing political polarisation and a spike in terror attacks.

Mr. Zardari was addressing the 84th Pakistan Day celebrations and Army parade held at the Parade Ground area in Islamabad.

The day marks the adoption of the historic Lahore Resolution on this day in 1940 which provided a framework for the realisation of the goal of a separate homeland for Muslims of South Asia.

Saudi Defence Minister Khalid Bin Salman was the guest of honour on the occasion. Mr. Zardari inspected the parade of tri-services and admired the preparedness of the forces. He also used the occasion to urge for building internal consensus while shunning political differences.

“I request all political parties that they should set aside all their political issues and work for the development and prosperity of the country,” Mr. Zardari, who was elected as President earlier this month, said.

Mr. Zardari was referring to the protest by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) against the alleged rigging in the election and imprisonment of its leader Imran Khan. Mr. Zardari said that Pakistan was facing multiple challenges but the newly-elected government would address the challenges faced by the country.

“I am happy that a democratic government has been set up after elections. Now it is our responsibility to tackle all challenges. I believe that as we did in the past, we will tackle all problems and we will take the country out of the current troubles,” he said.

He said Pakistani forces were strong enough to face the threat and defend the country, adding that the success of Pakistan against terrorism has been acknowledged by the world.

The President said the country had already set up the Special Investment Facilitation Centre (SIFC), including top civil and military leadership, to make key decisions regarding developing important sectors such as mining, agriculture, and information technology.

Mr. Zardari said that Pakistan being a peaceful nuclear state was eager to have good ties with all neighbours but warned that it would not tolerate any kind of aggression.

“We will not tolerate any kind of effort by terrorists or any group to destabilise our country,” he said, apparently referring to the spike in terror attacks in the country and tensions with neighbouring Afghanistan.

The President termed the unresolved issue of Kashmir as the main source of instability in the region and urged the dispute should be resolved according to the UN resolutions. “The people of Pakistan will always stand by Kashmiris in their struggle and will always support them,” he said, reiterating Islamabad’s stated stand.

India has firmly told Pakistan that Jammu and Kashmir will always be an integral and inalienable part of the country. Mr. Zardari also demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and urged for the opening of a humanitarian corridor to provide timely support to the besieged people of Gaza.

The President especially thanked China, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Turkiye for providing support to debt-trapped Pakistan in difficult times.

The main feature of the day was the grand military parade in Islamabad where contingents of three armed forces and other security forces conducted a march past while fighter planes performed aerobatic maneuvers.

Separately, Mr. Zardari, who became Pakistan’s President for a second time, stressed the nation to participate in the nation-building process actively, embracing the values of hard work, integrity, and compassion.

In his message on Pakistan Day, he honoured the commitment and sacrifices made by the Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and his companions.

“Our armed forces, civil administration, police, and law enforcement agencies have, with unwavering commitment, ensured the safety, security, and sovereignty of our nation,” he said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in his message asked the nation to renew the firm resolve to follow the footsteps of the founding fathers to make Pakistan a trivet of peace, progress and stability.

“Our forefathers made untiring efforts and rendered exemplary sacrifices for Pakistan as millions of Muslims left their homes in India and decided to migrate to Pakistan,” he said.

“We are completely cognisant of the serious challenges confronting Pakistan currently including inflation, unemployment, circular debt, fiscal and trade deficit, and above all the growing scourge of terrorism,” he said and assured to stand committed to putting Pakistan on the path to economic recovery and prosperity with a cogent policy reform framework.

Radio Pakistan reported that special prayers were offered in mosques after predawn prayers for the prosperity and solidarity of the country. The national flag was hoisted on major government buildings.