"Declare Holiday": Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Trolled For Post On Team's Hong Kong Sixes Win Over India

Shehbaz Sharif; (right) A photo from India vs Pakistan Hong Kong Sixes match.© X/NDTV

India and Pakistan faced off in a Hong Kong Sixes 2026 match on Friday. The Hong Kong Sixes is an international, fast-paced six-a-side cricket tournament organized by Cricket Hong Kong, China and sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Pakistan captain Abbas Afridi won the toss and elected to bowl, restricting India to 88/5 in six overs despite a fiery 40-run knock off just 11 balls from Shashank Singh. In response, Pakistan chased down the target of 89 in just 3.5 overs, powered by Khawaja Nafay's explosive 41 off 12 balls and a captain's knock of 35 off just eight deliveries from Abbas Afridi, sealing a comfortable four-wicket victory. Interestingly, after the win, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the Pakistan team.

While any India-Pakistan contest draws widespread attention, the Hong Kong Sixes is neither a global tournament nor a continental event like the Asia Cup. Therefore, such praise from a senior politician for a victory in the Hong Kong Sixes drew intriguing reactions on social media. Notably, India have held the upper hand over Pakistan in recent Asia Cup meetings. In World Cups too, barring a defeat in 2021, India have won all the other contests.

"Congratulations to our boys on a superb four-wicket victory over India in the opening clash of the Hong Kong Sixes 2026! It was a good game of cricket. I also commend Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi @MohsinnaqviC42 and his team for their dedicated efforts in preparing and supporting our players," Sharif wrote on X.

Congratulations to our boys on a superb four-wicket victory over India in the opening clash of the Hong Kong Sixes 2026! It was a good game of cricket I also commend Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi @MohsinnaqviC42 and his team for their dedicated efforts in preparing and supporting our players.

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) October 30, 2026

Here are some of the responses on social media.

@CMShehbaz @MohsinnaqviC42 hilarious

— vishal dayama (@VishalDayama) October 30, 2026

@CMShehbaz @MohsinnaqviC42 Hong kong sixes par PM post kar raha https://t.co/7x9hS3NfEO

— Raja Babu (@GaurangBhardwa1) October 30, 2026

@CMShehbaz @MohsinnaqviC42 Man seriously frustrated people... now celebrating some random win

— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952) October 30, 2026

@CMShehbaz @MohsinnaqviC42 Abs tujhe kuch kam dhandha nahi hai kya Bada hi Khali PM hai. Farzi cricket series ke tweet karta rahta hai.

— Lala (@FabulasGuy) October 30, 2026

@CMShehbaz @MohsinnaqviC42 It wasn't the opening clash you clown! Pakistan lost to UAE 2 hours before that. now don't say that didn't happen.

— Krishna Anand (@KrishnaAnand_) October 30, 2026

@CMShehbaz @MohsinnaqviC42 Congratulations on winning match against India in biggest cricket tournament on planet. This exceeds any World Cup or Asia Cup ever played.

— Big Cat Of The Day (@BigCatOfTheDay) October 30, 2026

@CMShehbaz @MohsinnaqviC42 The sheer enthusiasm here is hilarious. I actually had to Google 'Hong Kong Sixes' just to see what it was, and it turns out to be basically organised gully cricket. Congratulations on the 'monumental' win. Declare a one-week holiday now!

— Varun Kumar Rana (@VarunKrRana) October 30, 2026

Talking about the match, India opened their innings with Rahul Tripathi and Nitish Rana, getting off to a steady start with 11 runs in the first over. Muhammad Shahzad provided Pakistan with the first breakthrough in the second over, dismissing Tripathi for nine off five balls. Shashank Singh walked in at No. 3 and immediately made his presence felt, smashing 16 runs off just three deliveries to take India to 22 runs in the over despite the loss of a wicket.

Pakistan skipper Abbas Afridi took charge in the third over, showcasing his variations and keeping Nitish Rana in check with four dot balls while conceding just 11 runs. India reached 44/1 at the halfway stage, looking to accelerate in the remaining three overs and post a competitive total. Shashank continued his assault in the fourth over, plundering 24 runs, including three sixes and a boundary. However, with Nitish struggling on 19 off 14 deliveries, India opted to retire him out in the fifth over, bringing Rahul Tewatia to the crease.

Tewatia's stay was short-lived as Abdul Samad dismissed him for a golden duck. The momentum swung further in Pakistan's favour as India captain Krunal Pandya was dismissed for another golden duck off the very next delivery. Abdul conceded just 10 runs in the over, including four dot balls, restricting India to 78/4 after five overs. Shashank, who had anchored India's innings with his aggressive hitting, was dismissed by Ahmed Daniyal off the first ball of the final over. With T. Natarajan the only batter left to face the remaining deliveries, India managed to add 12 runs to finish on 88/5 in six overs.

Chasing a target of 89, Pakistan came out all guns blazing, with captain Abbas Afridi opening alongside Khawaja Nafay. Abbas took on India captain Krunal Pandya, smashing five consecutive sixes to help Pakistan plunder 31 runs in the opening over. Pakistan maintained the pressure in the following over, taking 28 runs off T. Natarajan's bowling and putting the chase firmly under control.

With Pakistan cruising at 73/1 at the halfway stage, Krunal Pandya handed the ball to Shashank Singh, who provided India with a breakthrough by dismissing the dangerous Abbas Afridi for 35 off just eight deliveries. However, the wicket did little to slow Pakistan's charge, with Khawaja Nafay continuing his sensational assault. Nafay remained unbeaten on 41 off 12 balls, including two fours and five sixes, while Irfan Khan struck the winning runs to take Pakistan to 89 in just 3.5 overs. The defending champions thus registered their first victory of the Hong Kong Sixes 2026, defeating arch-rivals India by four wickets

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