India endured a difficult Saturday, 31 October at the 2026 Hong Kong Sixes, falling to both the UAE in their final Group C match and then to England by three runs in the Bowl semifinal. Krunal Pandya's side will now meet Bangladesh in the 11th-12th place playoff on Sunday, 1 November.

India vs UAE: Group C Exit

UAE's Zahid Ali tore through India's top order early, claiming three wickets to leave the side reeling at 14/3. Rahul Tripathi (24 runs) and Krunal (15 off 8 balls) offered brief resistance before T. Natarajan provided the late fireworks, smashing an unbeaten 38 off 14 balls — including three fours and four sixes — to push India to 94/6.

The chase proved no contest. UAE captain Khalid Shah was imperious, blasting an unbeaten 52 off 14 balls with six sixes, while Ansh Tandon chipped in with an unbeaten 39 off 12 balls. The pair hammered 25 runs off the first over and wrapped up the chase in just 4.2 overs without losing a wicket. The commanding win propelled the UAE into the Cup semifinals and relegated India to the Bowl phase.

Bowl Semifinal: England Edge India by Three Runs

India came agonisingly close to salvaging some pride. England posted 124/2, powered by Martin Andersson's explosive 51 off 13 balls and Ed Barnard's unbeaten 35 off 14 balls. India's chase was electrifying — Rahul Tripathi smashed 56 off 14 balls, laced with seven sixes, and Krunal contributed 28 off 7 balls — but the side fell three runs short, finishing at 121.

Other Semifinals: Bowl and Cup Results

In the other Bowl semifinal, Bangladesh set a daunting 129/4, with Habibur Rahman blazing 60 off 14 balls — including six consecutive sixes off Blake Simpson in the fourth over, costing 36 runs in that over alone. South Africa responded through Jorich van Schalkwyk (50 off 13 balls) and sealed the win off the last ball, with van Schalkwyk finishing the chase with three sixes and a four in the final over. South Africa will face England in the Bowl final.

The Cup final is set to be an intriguing affair between Australia and Afghanistan. Australia dismantled the UAE by 53 runs, with Max Bryant (60 off 15 balls) and Nick Hobson (53 off 11 balls) doing early damage, before Chris Green and Alex Ross claimed two wickets each. Afghanistan saw off Scotland by 21 runs, with captain Gulbadin Naib stroking an unbeaten 51 off 16 balls. Earlier in the day, Afghanistan had chased down 121 against Oman in just 5.2 overs, with Sediqullah Pacha making an unbeaten 45 off 10 balls and Farmanullah Safi an unbeaten 37 off 11 balls.

Plate and Other Results

Scotland had secured a Cup semifinal berth earlier by beating Sri Lanka by 26 runs, with Michael Leask smashing an unbeaten 70 off 15 balls featuring 10 sixes, and Jasper Davidson taking three wickets in the fourth over. In the Plate semifinals, Oman chased 93 against Sri Lanka in 4.4 overs, with Zohaib Amanat (43* off 13 balls) and Usman Ali (46 off 14 balls) combining effectively. Pakistan beat hosts Hong Kong, China by six wickets, with captain Abbas Afridi slamming 55 off 13 balls featuring seven sixes in an opening stand of 90 with Khawaja Nafay (34 off 10 balls). Oman will face Pakistan in the Plate final.

What's Next

All finals and playoffs are scheduled for Sunday, 1 November. India face Bangladesh in the 11th-12th place playoff, while the headline clashes — the Cup final (Australia vs Afghanistan) and Bowl final (South Africa vs England) — also take centre stage at the Kowloon Cricket Club in Hong Kong.