Cricket Hong Kong announced on Monday, October 7, that Team India will be participating in the upcoming Hong Kong Cricket Sixes, scheduled for November 1-3.
India to Participate in Hong Kong Cricket Sixes
This six-a-side cricket tournament will feature 12 teams, including India's arch-rivals Pakistan. Other participating teams include Australia, Bangladesh, England, Hong Kong, Nepal, New Zealand, Oman, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates. The Hong Kong Cricket Sixes tournament was first held in 1992 but went on a hiatus after the 2017 edition. The 2024 edition marks its return after a seven-year absence.
The likes of Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Shane Warne, Wasim Akram, Shoaib Malik, Sanath Jayasuriya, Anil Kumble, Umar Akmal, Glenn Maxwell, and Damien Martyn have all showcased their skills in this tournament.
The Hong Kong Cricket Sixes tournament will be held from 8:30 AM to 6 PM on all three days. Tickets are available for purchase, with prices set at $150 for Day 1, $250 for Day 2, and $350 for Day 3. A three-day pass is available for $580. Pakistan has already announced its seven-member squad for the tournament, led by Faheem Ashraf and including Asif Ali.
The Hong Kong Cricket Sixes tournament offers a unique experience with its innovative rules and exciting format. India has previously won the tournament in 2005, joining other notable champions like Sri Lanka, Australia, and West Indies. The tournament's rules are designed to encourage aggressive batting and power hitting, making matches highly entertaining and unpredictable.
Let's have a look at the rules of the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes:
- Each match in the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes tournament is played between two teams of six players. Each team bats for a maximum of five overs, except in the final match, where each team bowls five overs of eight balls.
- Every member of the fielding side, except the wicket-keeper, is required to bowl one over. Wides and no-balls are considered as two runs.
- If five wickets fall before the allotted five overs are completed, the last remaining batsman continues to bat with the fifth batsman acting as a runner. The batsman who is not out must always take strike. The innings concludes when the sixth wicket falls.
- Batsmen are required to retire when their score reaches 31. However, they can return to the crease after all other batsmen have been dismissed or retired.
