Cricket’s most thrilling short-format tournament is back! The 2025 Hong Kong Cricket Sixes promises another feast of fast-paced action, explosive hitting, and non-stop entertainment when it returns from November 7 to 9, 2025, at the Mission Road Ground in Mong Kok, Hong Kong. Featuring 12 nations, the event will showcase the sport’s most dynamic players across three electrifying days.

 A Tournament Like No Other

Organised by Cricket Hong Kong and sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC), the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes is one of cricket’s most unique spectacles. Since its inception in 1992, the competition has thrilled fans with a format tailor-made for fireworks, every game lasting around 30 minutes and every delivery potentially flying into the stands.

After a successful return in 2024 following a seven-year break, the Sixes expand again in 2025 with twelve international teams vying for glory. Sri Lanka, who crushed Pakistan in the 2024 final, enter as defending champions, looking to retain their crown against a stronger field.

Format and Rules

While the Sixes adhere to cricket’s traditional laws, the format has several unique twists to keep the action fast and furious:

These rules ensure that matches are relentless, high-scoring, and packed with entertainment.

Tournament Structure

This ensures every side remains active throughout the weekend, offering continuous entertainment for fans.

Participating Teams and Groups

Twelve teams will compete, divided into four pools of three:

The top two sides from each group will qualify for the Cup Quarter-finals, while the bottom teams will battle for the Bowl Trophy.

Hong Kong Sixes 2025 – Teams and Squads (by Pool)

Pool A

Afghanistan: Gulbadin Naib (c), Noor Rehman (wk), Karim Janat, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Farmanullah, Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai, Sediqullah Pacha
Nepal: Sharad Veswakar (c), Sundeep Jora, Lokesh Bam (wk), Rupesh Kumar Singh, Mohammad Adil Alam, Rashid Khan, Basir Ahamad
South Africa: Jordan Morris (c), Abdullah Bayoumy (wk), Ethan Cunningham, Mbulelo Dube, Kashief Joseph, Blake Simpson, Jorich van Schalkwyk

Pool B

Australia: Alex Ross (c), Ben McDermott (wk), Jack Wood, Nick Hobson, Chris Green, Will Bosisto, Andrew Tye
England: Joe Denly (c), James Coles, Ethan Brookes, Toby Albert, George Hill, Dan Mousley, Tom Aspinwall
United Arab Emirates: Harshit Kaushik (c), Khalid Shah, Mohammad Arfan, Muhammad Farooq, Saghir Khan, Nilansh Keswani, Rejith Arjunan, Zahid Ali

Pool C

India: Dinesh Karthik (c & wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Stuart Binny, Bharat Chipli, Abhimanyu Mithun, Shahbaz Nadeem, Priyank Panchal
Kuwait: Yasin Patel (c), Meet Bhavsar, Usman Gani (wk), Ravija Sandaruwan, Mohamed Shafeeq, Bilal Tahir, Adnan Idrees
Pakistan: Abbas Afridi (c), Abdul Samad, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Shahzad, Saad Masood, Shahid Aziz

Pool D

Bangladesh: Akbar Ali (c), Abu Hider, Mohammad Saifuddin, Rakibul Hasan, Tofail Ahmed Rayhan, Mosaddek Hossain, Jishan Alam
Hong Kong: Yasim Murtaza (c), Babar Hayat, Anshuman Rath (wk), Aizaz Khan, Nizakat Khan, Ehsan Khan, Nasrulla Rana
Sri Lanka: Lahiru Madushanka (c), Dhananjaya Lakshan, Thanuka Dabare, Nimesh Vimukthi, Lahiru Samarakoon, Tharindu Rathnayake, Sachitha Jayathilake, Movin Subasingha (stand-by)

Schedule and Key Fixtures (All Times in Hong Kong Time – UTC+8)

Players to Watch

Expect fireworks from a mix of legends and rising stars. Dinesh Karthik will captain the Indian side alongside Ravichandran Ashwin and Stuart Binny, while Abbas Afridi leads a young Pakistani team. Alex Ross (Australia), Joe Denly (England), and Babar Hayat (Hong Kong) add further star power.

Defending champions Sri Lanka, led by Lahiru Madushanka, will aim to continue their dominance, while debutants Kuwait and UAE could spring surprises with their fearless brand of cricket.

Where to Watch

Fans across the globe can catch all matches live on FanCode:

• Mobile app: Android and iOS
• TV Platforms: Android TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Jio STB, Samsung TV
• Web: fancode.com

Other streaming partners include Vi Movies & TV, Tata Play Binge, WatchO, Playbox, Amazon Prime Video Channels, Jio TV, and Jio TV+.

A Festival of Cricket Returns

The Hong Kong Cricket Sixes is more than just a tournament, it’s a carnival that celebrates cricket’s fearless side. Expect blazing sixes, lightning run chases, and high-energy celebrations as 12 teams battle for pride and glory in the heart of Asia.

As Sri Lanka look to defend their crown and teams like India, Australia, and Pakistan eye redemption, fans can gear up for three unforgettable days of pure, unfiltered cricketing chaos.

Cricket fans won’t have to wait long to witness another India-Pakistan clash. The two sides are set to face each other on November 7 at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground in Hong Kong, reigniting one of the sport’s most intense rivalries.

This upcoming encounter is part of the Hong Kong Sixes, a fast-paced six-a-side tournament that brings together top talent in a condensed, action-packed format. Both teams have been drawn into the same group, setting the stage for a high-voltage showdown.

The mini-tournament has always been a fan favorite, known for its thrilling overs, quick scoring, and entertaining cricketing moments. With India and Pakistan squaring off once again, expectations are high for a match filled with energy, competitive spirit, and plenty of fireworks on the field.

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India-Pakistan to Face off Again:

The three-day tournament, scheduled from November 7 to 9, will feature 12 international teams, including South Africa, Afghanistan, Nepal, Australia, England, UAE, Pakistan, Kuwait, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and host Hong Kong. The squads have been divided into four groups, promising thrilling encounters and high-octane cricket as the teams compete in this unique and entertaining format.

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has been appointed as India’s captain for the upcoming Hong Kong Sixes. He will be joined by his former teammate R. Ashwin, who had already confirmed his participation in the fast-paced six-a-side event. Abbas Afridi has been named captain of Pakistan for the upcoming Hong Kong Sixes tournament, leading his team in the fast-paced event.

Dinesh Karthik said, “It is an absolute honour to lead Team India at the Hong Kong Sixes, a tournament with such rich history and global recognition. I look forward to leading a group of players who have such incredible records to their credit, and together we will aim to bring joy to the fans and play cricket that is both fearless and entertaining.”

Chairperson of Cricket Hong Kong Burji Shroff said, “We are thrilled to welcome Dinesh as the captain of Team India for the Hong Kong Sixes 2025. His leadership and wealth of experience will add immense value to the competition, and we are confident that his presence will attract fans from across the globe to witness this spectacular cricketing festival.”

The Hong Kong Sixes 2025 will start from November 7 to 9. It’s a exciting sixes hitting cricket tournament, with each team playing six overs per match. In the last season in 2024, 12 international teams took part. They were split into four groups of three teams each, and every team played the other two teams in their group once. The top two teams from each group moved on to the quarter-finals, while the third-placed teams played in the Bowl league.

The two best teams from the Bowl league then played in the Bowl final. The winners of the quarter-finals went on to the semi-finals, and the semi-final winners played in the final. Teams that lost in the quarter-finals got another chance in the Plate semi-finals, with the winner moving on to the Plate final.

Hong Kong Sixes 2025: Tournament & Teams Details

Former India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru player Dinesh Karthik has been appointed as the captain of Team India for the upcoming Hong Kong Sixes tournament. The announcement was made official by Hong Kong Cricket on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Known for his smart cricketing skills and 360-degree stroke play, Karthik brings a lot of experience in T20 cricket. He has also led Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL and played for RCB during the final years of his career.

Karthik has played in global T20 leagues since he retired from international cricket and the IPL. Most recently, he made his overseas debut with the Paarl Royals in the recent SA20 season. His previous leadership, batting experience, and ability to perform under pressure make him an ideal candidate for the captaincy of India in the fast-paced six-a-side format.

Cricket Hong Kong expressed confidence in Karthik’s appointment, saying on X, “We are proud to welcome Dinesh Karthik as the Captain of Team India for the Hong Kong Sixes 2025. With his vast international experience, sharp leadership skills, and explosive batting, Dinesh will bring both inspiration and intensity to the tournament. His appointment reflects the spirit of the Sixes fearless, entertaining, and world-class.”

Karthik’s Career and T20 Record

Dinesh Karthik has had a career that has gone nearly 20 years. He had played 412 T20 matches, scoring 7,537 runs at an average of 27.01 and a strike rate of 136.66. He has played for six teams in IPL: MI, RCB, KKR, Gujarat Lions, DC and PBKS. He scored 4,842 runs in 234 innings from 2008 to 2024.

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Karthik played for the Paarl Royals in the SA20 league, scoring 130 runs in eight innings, with a total of fifty runs. He has not had much recent exposure to international cricket, although with his T20 experience, leadership qualities, and composure under pressure, he would be an ideal candidate to lead Team India at the Hong Kong Sixes 2025. Fans can't wait to see Karthik lead the side while at the same time show his batting skills at this exciting six-a-side tournament.

Hong Kong Cricket officially announced on Thursday that Ravichandran Ashwin will feature in Team India’s squad for the upcoming Hong Kong Sixes 2025, scheduled to take place from November 7 to 9.

The legendary off-spinner’s inclusion is expected to bring both experience and a touch of class to the side, making India a strong contender in the exciting and fast-paced tournament. Ashwin’s presence will not only strengthen the bowling attack but also provide leadership in a format known for its unpredictability.

This event will mark Ashwin’s first outing since his retirement from the Indian Premier League last month, where he concluded his stint with Chennai Super Kings — the team that shaped his career in the early years. Fans will be eager to see the veteran cricketer back in action, this time in a shorter and entertaining version of the game that promises high-octane cricket.

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Ravichandran Ashwin Set to Make a Special Return:

Hong Kong Cricket announced the news through a post on their social media handle, the well-known photo and video sharing platform. In their update, they revealed that Ravichandran Ashwin would feature in the 2025 Hong Kong Sixes, marking his return to competitive cricket after retirement. The post quickly caught fans’ attention and sparked excitement across social media platforms.

While announcing the news, they captioned, “ Legendary Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (@rashwin99) is set to light up Hong Kong! He’ll be a key part of Team India at the @hongkongsixes 2025, happening from 7 to 9 November. Fans will get the rare chance to watch Ashwin’s wizardry in the fastest, most entertaining format of the game. Get ready, Hong Kong—the stage is set for a cricketing spectacle!”

Legendary Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin ( @ashwinravi99 ) is set to light up Hong Kong!

He’ll be a key part of Team India at the @hongkongsixes 2025, happening from 7–9 November.

Fans will get the rare chance to watch Ashwin’s wizardry in the fastest, most entertaining… pic.twitter.com/erpz6BQDnl

— Cricket Hong Kong, China (@CricketHK) September 18, 2025

In late August, during his YouTube show ‘Ash ki Baat’, Ashwin hinted that coaching might be his next journey in cricket. He shared this thought while revealing his decision to step away from the Indian Premier League, signaling a new chapter ahead. He said, “ I am a very impulsive person. When I believe in something strongly, I run after it. Now I am running after joy in the game.”

Ashwin shared his excitement about the chance, saying he is eager to be part of the fast-paced format. He emphasized that such opportunities bring a fresh challenge and allow him to continue enjoying the game.

He said, “ We have all watched the HK Sixes as youngsters on Television and it has always been an existing format that I wanted to be a part of. This format requires a different strategy and will prove to be high octane which I am looking forward to play alongside my ex-teammates. I am also thrilled to compete against some quality players in the opposition teams, it will be a good challenge for us.”

Hong Kong Cricket Chairperson Burji Shroff highlighted that Ashwin’s inclusion adds significant value to the tournament. He noted that the veteran’s presence will not only raise the event’s profile but also inspire players and fans alike.

He said, “ We are proud to welcome R. Ashwin to the Hong Kong Sixes 2025. His presence in Team India elevates the tournament to an even higher level, bringing one of the finest cricketing minds and performers of this era to Hong Kong. The Sixes is about innovation, entertainment, and world-class talent, and Ashwin embodies all of these qualities. We are confident that fans will be treated to a spectacular show of cricket.”

Rajneesh Chopra, Co-Founder of Arivaa Sports and management partner for the event, stated that Ashwin’s participation will enhance the tournament’s appeal, bringing global attention and excitement while further strengthening India’s presence in the Hong Kong Sixes. He said, “R. Ashwin’s inclusion is a huge boost not only for Team India but also for the Hong Kong Sixes as a global property.”

In just two months, the Hong Kong Sixes will return, showcasing global stars alongside rising players in a thrilling three-day contest, promising fast-paced action and a perfect blend of talent and entertainment on the cricket field.

India suffered a rare failure in the ongoing Hong Kong Sixes tournament as they registered a string of four consecutive defeats which officially eliminated the Blue Brigade from the quarter-final race. The Men in Blue currently being led by Robin Uthappa have failed to register a single victory in this tournament and will conclude their campaign on a sour note without a win under their belt.

India commenced their campaign by playing the opening match of their tournament against their old foe Pakistan. India has predominantly had the upper hand over their arch-rivals in major cricketing events but contrary to everyone’s expectations, the Indians were taken aback as Pakistan chased down a galloping 120 runs inside five overs in one of the most one-sided fashions. 

But the final nail in the coffin came when India took on a fairly inexperienced UAE side in their second match of the tournament. They were in desperate search of a win to stay in the race. While many expected India to win quite comfortably, UAE held their nerve to steal a narrow one-run victory from India in the final over of the run chase. At that moment, it was all but over for team India. The team subsequently went on to face England and New Zealand in their remaining fixtures but finished winless.  

The intense last-over drama which left India heartbroken

Coming into this fixture after a shocking defeat in their earlier match against Pakistan, Robin Uthappa & Co. found themselves in a high-pressure situation. UAE got off the flyer with the bat but Binny’s 3-31 restricted them to 130. The target of 131 was still going to be fairly tricky but Bharat Chipli gave the Blues a blazing start, smocking 20 in the first over before getting out. But they were soon jolted when they lost Chipli and Tiwari in quick succession giving UAE a window of opportunity to seal the game prematurely. 

But then the skipper arrived and together with Binny, the two dug in there and took the game deep for India. Uthappa went all guns blazing and hammered 43 runs off 10 balls which included three fours and five sixes. He was going along smoothly but Zubair got the better of him in the last ball of the fourth over and had him dismissed when the score was 83-3.

India needed 32 in 6 balls:

Stuart Binny - 4,WD,6,6,6,6,1. India lost by just 1 run. 💔 pic.twitter.com/qyhKWWyqe6

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 2, 2024

However, Binny continued to shine with the bat and kept India in the run chase with the help of his brute hitting. The game eventually progressed to the last over of the run chase where 32 runs were needed. Asif Khan from UAE was tasked with bowling the final over and he was greatted by a boundary first ball followed by a wide the second ball.

Binny then pressed his foot on the accelerator a lot further and went on to tonk four consecutive sixes before being run out on the final ball leaving India agonizingly short by one run. Binny clobbered 30 runs in that over but India fell by a narrow margin as they had way too much on their plate during the final over of the run chase.  

While Hong Kong Sixes is returning after seven years, team India has officially joined the upcoming tournament.

Hong Kong’s Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground will host the three-day Hong Kong Sixes 2024 between November 1 and 3, 2024. A total of 12 teams will participate in this tournament. 

Hong Kong Sixes 2024: Participating teams

The officially announced teams are Hong Kong China, England, Oman, Australia, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, South Africa, New Zealand, Nepal, Bangladesh, and India. 

🚨TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT🚨

Team India is gearing up to smash it out of the park at HK6! 🇮🇳💥

Prepare for explosive power hitting and a storm of sixes that will electrify the crowd! 🔥

Expect More Teams, More Sixes, More Excitement, and MAXIMUM THRILLS! 🔥🔥

HK6 is back from 1st to… pic.twitter.com/P5WDkksoJn

— Cricket Hong Kong, China (@CricketHK) October 7, 2024

Only Pakistan have announced the squad for the Hong Kong Sixes 2024. International cricketer Faheem Ashraf will lead the Pakistan team in the upcoming edition of the Hong Kong Sixes. 

Brief history and past champions

Hong Kong Sixes is a popular tournament where six-a-side international cricket teams compete. Its first edition was organised in 1993. Before the upcoming 2024 edition, this tournament was previously played in 2017. 

South Africa, England, and Pakistan have won five editions each in the Hong Kong Sixes. South Africa will start the forthcoming edition as the defending champions. Sri Lanka, Australia, West Indies, and India have won this trophy once each. 

Rules of the tournament:

General rules

• In every match, two teams compete with six players in each team. Just like the general white-ball formats, each team plays one innings in a match. Every innings consists of six overs with six balls in each over. 
• Each team must utilise four different bowlers in the six-over innings (except for the wicketkeeper), while each player can deliver a maximum of two overs but not consecutive overs.
• The wides and no-balls will cost one run along with one extra delivery.

Last man rule

• If five wickets fell in an innings (excluding retired not out) before the completion of the six overs, the last unbeaten batter can continue his batting with the latest dismissed batter acting only as a runner. Even if the running partner is dismissed, the last batter will be declared out. An innings will be completed before the completion of six overs if the team loses all six wickets. 
  

Retired not out

• A batter must retire not out after reaching the 50-run mark. But if the team loses one of the last active pairs (where both batters can play), the retired not out batter can resume his innings. 
• The rule book further added, “If more than one batter retires, then they must return in the order in which they retired. Any batter having not returned in order will be automatically ‘retired out’.”