UAE crush India by six wickets in Hong Kong Sixes

Khalid Shah's unbeaten 52 off 14 balls powered the UAE to 97 without loss in 4.2 overs, ending India's hopes of reaching the Hong Kong Sixes Cup semi-finals.

By StoryTimesNow News Desk — 31 October 2026, 1:09 PM IST

Symbolic illustration of wooden stumps and a red cricket ball on a green field under floodlights, with no players shown.
Symbolic illustration of stumps and a cricket ball at a floodlit ground.

Key Takeaways

  • What happened: The UAE beat India by six wickets at Mong Kok on 31 October 2026, chasing 95 in 4.2 overs without losing a wicket.
  • Who is affected: India finished third in Group C without a win and left the Cup race; the UAE topped the group and reached the Cup semi-finals.
  • What next: India play Bangladesh on 1 November 2026 in the 11th and 12th place play-off.

The United Arab Emirates thrashed India by six wickets in the Hong Kong Sixes 2026 on Saturday at the Mission Road Ground in Mong Kok. Chasing 95, the UAE openers finished in 26 balls, reaching 97 without losing a wicket and with 10 balls to spare.

It was the fixture India was searching for more than any other on Saturday: 'India vs UAE' topped Google Trends in India with more than 2 million searches. For Krunal Pandya's side, already beaten by Pakistan on Friday, it brought a second Group C defeat in as many days and the end of their Cup hopes.

What Happened?

UAE captain Khalid Shah won the toss and chose to field, and his bowlers struck almost at once. India slipped to 53 for 5 as Zahid Ali took three wickets, removing Nitish Rana, Rahul Tewatia and Rahul Tripathi, while Muhammad Farooq and Mohammed Faraazuddin took one each.

Tripathi struck 24 off seven balls and Pandya made 15 off eight, but it was T Natarajan, better known as a bowler, who rescued the innings. He smashed 38 off 14 balls, with three fours and four sixes, before being run out off the last ball. India closed on 94 for 6 from six overs, a total that looked short on a ground built for hitting.

It proved to be exactly that. Shah and Ansh Tandon added an unbroken 97 for the first wicket. Shah reached fifty off 14 balls and finished on 52 not out from 14 deliveries, with three fours and six sixes, sealing victory with back-to-back sixes off Pandya. Tandon was unbeaten on 39 off 12 balls, with two fours and five sixes.

Why Does This Matter?

For India, this was elimination, not just defeat. Only each three-team group's winner reaches the Cup semi-finals; runners-up go into the Plate and third-placed sides into the Bowl. Finishing third in Group C shut India out of the main trophy at the first hurdle, a poor return for a squad drawn entirely from the Indian Premier League circuit.

For the UAE, the win completed a perfect group stage. They had already beaten Pakistan, the defending champions, so beating India gave them two wins from two and top spot in Group C.

Important Details

  • Match: UAE vs India, Group C, Hong Kong Sixes 2026, Mission Road Ground, Mong Kok, 31 October 2026.
  • Result: UAE won by six wickets, with 10 balls remaining. India 94 for 6 (6 overs); UAE 97 for 0 (4.2 overs).
  • Toss: UAE won the toss and elected to field first.
  • India batting: T Natarajan 38 off 14 balls (3 fours, 4 sixes); Rahul Tripathi 24 off 7; Krunal Pandya 15 off 8. Zahid Ali took 3 wickets.
  • UAE batting: Khalid Shah 52 not out off 14 balls (3 fours, 6 sixes); Ansh Tandon 39 not out off 12 balls (2 fours, 5 sixes).
  • Group C outcome: UAE top with two wins from two and reach the Cup semi-finals; India finish third, winless, and drop into the Bowl.
  • Format: Six-a-side, six overs per innings, 12 teams in four groups of three, played 30 October to 1 November 2026.

Background and Context

India's campaign had started badly on Friday, 30 October, with a four-wicket defeat by Pakistan, who chased 89 in 3.5 overs after Abbas Afridi hit five sixes in one over. That left Saturday's match as a must-win game, with only the group winner advancing to the Cup semi-finals. Instead, India lost even more heavily than the day before.

The seven-man Indian squad was led by Pandya after Bhuvneshwar Kumar, originally named captain, was replaced because of his commitments with India's T20I series in New Zealand. India have won the Hong Kong Sixes only once, in 2005.

What Happens Next?

India's Saturday got no better after the UAE defeat. Later in the day they lost their Bowl semi-final to England by three runs, despite an unbeaten 56 off 14 balls from Rahul Tripathi.

India now play Bangladesh on Sunday, 1 November 2026, in the 11th and 12th place play-off. The Cup final is also on 1 November, at 12:40 PM IST, with the UAE still in contention for the main trophy.

FAQs

What was the score in India vs UAE? India scored 94 for 6 in six overs; the UAE replied with 97 for 0 in 4.2 overs to win by six wickets.

Are India out of the Hong Kong Sixes Cup race? Yes. India finished third in Group C, and only group winners reach the Cup semi-finals.

Who top-scored in the match? UAE captain Khalid Shah, with 52 not out off 14 balls. For India, T Natarajan top-scored with 38 off 14 balls.

What happens next for India? India play Bangladesh on 1 November 2026 in the 11th and 12th place play-off, after losing their Bowl semi-final to England by three runs.

How does the Hong Kong Sixes work? Six players a side, six overs an innings. Twelve teams play in four groups of three; group winners contest the Cup, runners-up the Plate and third-placed teams the Bowl.

Sources and Verification

Score, toss, individual scores and group outcome were cross-checked against the ESPNcricinfo scorecard, SportsTak, The Nation and Outlook India's live blog, all dated 31 October 2026. Format, schedule and squad details are from NDTV Profit's tournament guide; the Bowl semi-final result and Bangladesh play-off fixture are reported by SportsTak.

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Editorial Note

This article is based on match reporting and scorecards published on 31 October 2026. Where reports differed on a minor detail, the ESPNcricinfo scorecard was treated as authoritative.