Pakistan captain Abbas Afridi lit up the Mission Road Ground with a sensational display of power hitting, smashing his way into the record books at the Hong Kong Sixes 2025 on Friday.
The young all-rounder blasted eight towering sixes in a whirlwind innings of 55 off just 12 balls, becoming only the fourth player in the tournament’s history to achieve the feat. His explosive knock sits just behind the all-time record of nine sixes, held by England’s Edward George Barnard, set against Oman last year.
Afridi’s onslaught turned the match on its head as Pakistan successfully chased Kuwait’s 124-run target in a thrilling finish to open their campaign with a statement victory.
Chasing a steep total in just six overs, Pakistan began brightly with Khawaja Nafay and Mohammad Shahzad racing to 34 without loss after two overs. Shahzad’s cameo of 14 off eight balls was cut short after he retired hurt, but his brisk start laid the foundation for the fireworks to follow.
After Abdul Samad’s early dismissal for a duck, Afridi arrived at the crease and immediately shifted the momentum. Displaying his trademark confidence and clean striking, the skipper cleared the ropes almost at will, guiding Pakistan to 95-1 by the end of the fifth over.
Needing 67 off the final two overs, Afridi unleashed a furious assault, smashing consecutive sixes off Yasin Patel to bring the equation down dramatically. He reached his fifty in just 11 balls, before also retiring hurt — but by then, the damage had been done.
Finisher Shahid Aziz completed the job in style, striking three consecutive sixes and a boundary in a rapid 23 off five deliveries*, while Nafay held firm at the other end with an unbeaten 25 off 11 as Pakistan sealed victory off the final ball.
Afridi’s innings not only set the tone for Pakistan’s campaign but also earned him instant acclaim across the cricketing world — marking a commanding statement of intent from the young captain and his dynamic side.
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