Hong Kong Cricket Sixes: What are the rules, teams and history of the innovative tournament? | Cricket News - Times of India

Hong Kong Cricket Sixes: What are the rules, teams and history of the innovative tournament? | Cricket News – Times of India

Posted by Admin October 8, 2024 Cricket

The Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes, the iconic event that enthralled cricket fans from 1992 to 2017, is all set to return to action with a three-day festival in November this year. Image: ICC

Before the T20 and its smash-and-grab style of cricket, there was the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes which featured current and former players in thrilling contests.
What is the history of the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes?
The Hong Kong Cricket Sixes (HK6) tournament began in 1992 and went on a break after the 2017 edition, making the 2024 edition the first one in 7 years.
Players such as Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Shane Warne, Wasim Akram, Shoaib Malik, Sanath Jayasuriya, Anil Kumble, Umar Akmal, Glenn Maxwell and Damien Martyn have all been part of the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes during their careers.

Pakistan, England and South Africa are the most successful teams in the tournament’s history. India have won once, in 2005, while Sri Lanka, Australia and West Indies have also been winners.
Which teams are involved in Hong Kong Cricket Sixes?
The Hong Kong Cricket Sixes is a six-a-side tournament which is organised by Cricket Hong Kong with this year’s edition due to host 12 teams including India and Pakistan. The other teams in contention in the 3-day tournament are Australia, Bangladesh, England, Hong Kong, Nepal, New Zealand, Oman, South Africa, Sri Lanka and United Arab Emirates.
The HK6 tournament is scheduled to take place from 1-3 November.
What are the rules of the Hong Koong Cricket Sixes?

The matches feature two teams of six players each, with each game consisting of a maximum of five overs per side. In the final match, however, each team will bowl 5 overs, with each over consisting of 8 balls instead of the usual 6.
Every player on the fielding team, except the wicket-keeper, must bowl one over. Wides and no-balls will incur a penalty of two runs.
If five wickets fall before the five overs are completed, the last remaining batter will continue to bat, with the fifth batter serving as the runner. The batter who is not out must always be on strike, and the innings will end when he is dismissed.
Batters are forced to retire when they reach 31 runs, but can come back once all other batsmen have been dismissed or have retired