Hong Kong, Oct 31 India suffered a narrow three-run defeat against England in the Bowl Division semifinal of the Hong Kong Sixes 2026 here on Saturday, missing out on a place in the final after an explosive batting display from both sides.
England will face South Africa in the Bowl Division final, while India will take on Bangladesh in the 11th-12th place playoff match.
Asked to bat, England made a flying start, smashing 24 runs off Kulwant Khejroliya in the opening over. Rahul Tripathi provided India with a breakthrough by dismissing John Simpson on the first ball of the second over, but Martin Andersson turned the tide with a blistering 51 off just 13 balls, including six sixes and three fours.
Ed Barnard provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 35 off 14 deliveries as England posted 124 for two in six overs.
India suffered an early setback in the chase when Nathan Gilchrist dismissed Nitish Rana in the opening over, but Tripathi and Shashank Singh launched a strong counter-attack, combining for 48 runs.
Tripathi smashed a sensational 56 off just 14 balls, including seven sixes and two fours, while captain Krunal Pandya contributed a quickfire 28 off seven deliveries.
However, England fought back with crucial wickets of Rahul Tewatia and Shashank Singh before Gilchrist’s disciplined bowling at the death restricted India to 121, sealing a thrilling three-run victory.
Earlier, India had slumped to a six-wicket defeat against the UAE in their final Group C league match.
Batting first, India struggled against UAE’s Zahid Ali, who claimed three wickets to reduce them to 14 for three.
Tripathi offered some resistance with a quickfire 24, while Krunal scored 15 off eight balls. T Natarajan then rescued India with an unbeaten 38 off 14 deliveries, including four sixes and three fours, taking the total to 94 for six in six overs.
The UAE made short work of the chase, with captain Khalid Shah and Ansh Tandon launching an assault, scoring 25 runs in the opening over.
Khalid smashed an unbeaten 52 off 14 balls, including six sixes and three fours, while Tandon remained unbeaten on 39 off 12 deliveries, with five sixes and two fours.
The duo guided the UAE to 95 without loss in just 4.2 overs, securing a dominant victory and a place in the Cup semifinals, while India were relegated to the Bowl semifinals.
(PTI News)
