India’s chase for their first Hong Kong Super Sixes title came to an end after a second consecutive defeat, this time in a nail-biting one-run loss to the UAE. With a must-win scenario, India fell just short despite a thrilling effort.
Strong Start, but UAE Fights Back
India won the toss and opted to bowl, kicking off with a bang as Bharat Chipli dismissed UAE captain Asif Khan on the first ball. However, UAE quickly turned the tide. Khalid Shah (42 off 10 balls) and Muhammad Zuhaib (17 off 5 balls) unleashed a fierce attack, adding 58 runs in only two overs. Zahoor Khan followed up with a quick 37 off 11 balls, taking UAE to a challenging 130 in six overs. Stuart Binny was India’s best bowler, grabbing three wickets for 31 runs.
India’s Chase and a Heroic Effort from Binny
India started with a reshuffled lineup. Manoj Tiwary opened alongside Chipli, who had scored an unbeaten fifty in the previous game. Chipli managed 20 before being dismissed on the last ball of the first over, while Tiwary added a quick 10 off three balls. Captain Robin Uthappa stepped up with a powerful 43 off 10 balls, smashing three fours and five sixes. However, Kedar Jadhav struggled to find his rhythm, slowing down the chase.
Heart-Stopping Final Over
After Uthappa’s dismissal, Binny kept India’s hopes alive with an explosive 44 off 11 balls. Heading into the final over, India needed 32 runs. Binny hit four consecutive sixes, bringing the target down to just three runs off the last ball. In a dramatic attempt to tie, Binny was run out, leaving India stranded at 129-4.
Knocked Out of Title Race, India Moves to Bowl Competition
This narrow loss knocked India out of title contention, relegating them to the Bowl competition for third-placed teams. After another tough loss to England, India now faces New Zealand for one last shot at consolation in this year’s tournament.
