The Indian cricket team is set to make a grand return to the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes tournament, scheduled to take place from November 1 to 3, 2024. The tournament, which was first held in 1992, was last played in 2017 before being revived this year.
The 20th edition of the tournament will feature 12 teams, including India, Pakistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, Hong Kong, Nepal, New Zealand, Oman, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The tournament will be held at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground.
India has a rich history in the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes, having won the tournament in 2005. Other previous winners include England and South Africa, who have won the title five times each. The tournament has also witnessed some of the biggest names in cricket, including Brian Lara, Wasim Akram, Shane Warne, Sachin Tendulkar, M.S. Dhoni, and Anil Kumble.
The Hong Kong Cricket Sixes is a unique tournament, with matches played between two teams of six players. Each game consists of a maximum of five overs for each side. However, the title clash will see each team bowl five overs of eight balls, up from the six deliveries in normal matches.
Barring the wicket-keeper, every member of the fielding side must bowl one over. Wides and no-balls count as two runs. Batsmen are forced to retire at 31 runs but can come back in once all other batsmen have been dismissed or have retired.
The return of the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes is a major boost for the sport in the region. The tournament is expected to attract a large crowd and provide fans with an opportunity to see some of the best cricketers in the world in action.
