The most unique and famous Hong Kong Cricket Sixes tournament is back after a long seven-year break, the competition is getting back on track. Last happened in 2017. Started way back in 1992, event has seen many players participate, from Sachin Tendulkar to MS Dhoni to Wasim Akram, all of whom have played in it. This time, the tournament will be held from November 1 to November 3 at Tin Kwong Road Cricket Ground in Hong Kong, with 12 teams participating in the unique six-a-side format competition. The pools have already been announced, and the competition will follow a round-robin format. The top 2 teams from each group will proceed to the quarter-finals, having a total of 29 games, which includes the plate semifinal and bowl final. See the full schedule of the tournament along with the group distribution.
Hong Kong Cricket Sixes schedule
| November 1 | Fixtures |
|---|---|
| Match | Time (IST) |
| South Africa vs Hong Kong | 6:00 AM – 6:55 AM |
| England vs Nepal | 6:55 AM – 7:50 AM |
| Pakistan vs UAE | 7:50 AM – 8:45 AM |
| Sri Lanka vs Oman | 8:45 AM – 9:40 AM |
| New Zealand vs Hong Kong | 9:40 AM – 10:35 AM |
| Bangladesh vs Oman | 10:35 AM – 11:30 AM |
| India vs Pakistan | 11:30 AM – 12:25 PM |
| England vs Australia | 12:25 PM – 1:15 PM |
| South Africa vs New Zealand | 1:15 PM – 2:10 PM |
| Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh | 2:10 PM – 3:05 PM |
| November 2 | Fixtures |
|---|---|
| Match | Time (IST) |
| Australia vs Nepal | 6:00 AM – 6:55 AM |
| India vs UAE | 6:55 AM – 7:50 AM |
| Bowl Match 1: A3 vs D3 | 7:50 AM – 8:45 AM |
| Bowl Match 2: B3 vs C3 | 8:45 AM – 9:40 AM |
| Quarterfinal 1: B1 vs A2 | 9:40 AM – 10:35 AM |
| Quarterfinal 2: A1 vs C2 | 10:35 AM – 11:30 AM |
| Bowl Match 3: A3 vs C3 | 11:30 AM – 12:25 PM |
| Bowl Match 4: B3 vs D4 | 12:25 PM – 1:15 PM |
| Quarterfinal 3: D1 vs B2 | 1:15 PM – 2:10 PM |
| Quarterfinal 4: C1 vs D2 | 2:10 PM – 3:05 PM |
| November 3 | Fixtures |
|---|---|
| Match | Time (IST) |
| Bowl Match 5: A3 vs B3 | 6:00 AM – 6:55 AM |
| Plate Semifinal 1: LQ1 vs LQ2 | 6:55 AM – 7:50 AM |
| Plate Semifinal 2: LQ3 vs LQ4 | 7:50 AM – 8:45 AM |
| Bowl Match 6: C3 vs D3 | 8:45 AM – 9:40 AM |
| Semifinal 1: WQ1 vs WQ2 | 10:20 AM – 11:10 AM |
| Semifinal 2: WQ3 vs WQ4 | 11:10 AM – 12:05 PM |
| Bowl Final | 12:05 PM – 12:55 PM |
| Plate Final | 12:55 PM – 1:45 PM |
| Cup Final | 1:55 PM – 2:45 PM |
| Quarterfinal 4: C1 vs D2 | 2:10 PM – 3:05 PM |
Hong Kong Cricket Sixes format
Looking at the rules, matches feature two teams, each consisting of six players, with a maximum of five overs allowed per side. In the final match, both teams will bowl five overs, with each over consisting of eight balls, which is an interesting and unique addition.
All fielding team members, except for the wicket-keeper, must bowl one over. Wides and no-balls will incur a penalty of two runs each.
If five wickets fall before the team completes its allotted five overs, the last batter will continue to bat, assisted by the fifth batter acting as a runner. The not-out batter will remain on strike for the entire innings, which will conclude once he is dismissed.
Batters must retire upon reaching 31 runs but may return to the crease once all other batsmen have been dismissed or have retired.
What are bowl finals in Hong Kong Cricket Sixes?
Now at the plate and bowl finals, table toppers will play in the semifinals, whereas the losers of the quarterfinals will compete in the plate semifinals. For the bowl finals, the bottom-placed team from each group will play.
Will India play in Hong Kong Cricket Sixes 2024?
Yes, India will play in the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes 2024, with many big hitters expected to be included in the squad for this tournament. India is placed in Group C along with Pakistan and UAE. Cricket Hong Kong recently announced India’s participation in the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes via post on X. As of now, India has one Hong Kong Sixes trophy, which they won in 2005.
Hong Kong Sixes 2024 Pool
| Pool | Teams |
| Pool A | South Africa (A1) |
| New Zealand (A2) | |
| Hong Kong (A3) | |
| Pool B | Australia (B1) |
| England (B2) | |
| Nepal (B3) | |
| Pool C | India (C1) |
| Pakistan (C2) | |
| UAE (C3) | |
| Pool D | Sri Lanka (D1) |
| Bangladesh (D2) | |
| Oman (D3) |
