The South African Hong Kong Sixes squad, captained by Nicky Boje, were crowned champions of the Hong Kong Sixes tournament after beating Pakistan in the final by 12 runs at the Kowloon Cricket Club on Sunday.
The Hong Kong Sixes tournament rules stipulate that everyone bowls one over with the exception of the wicketkeeper. Games are played between two teams of six players, and each game consists of five six-ball overs bowled by each side.
In the final, Boje set up victory for South Africa with a speedy 32 runs off 14 balls and was also named man of the match.
South Africa’s total of 103 runs proved too much for Pakistan, who fell well short with 91 runs.
In congratulating the team on their achievement, Cricket South Africa’s CEO Gerald Majola said: ”This was a fine effort, with Nicky Boje leading from the front. This victory shows again that South Africa is one of the top nations in world limited-overs cricket.”
India, the defending champions, finished third after beating the West Indies in the play-off, having earlier been on the end of an amazing Pakistan batting performance in the semifinal.
Pakistan smashed their way to 132 with Yasir Arafat taking five sixes off one over. The host nation, Hong Kong, produced the major upset when they beat England by 47 runs in the fifth and sixth place play-off.
Despite having the likes of Dominic Cork and Darren Gough in their line-up, England struggled in the field as Hong Kong reached 92.
Mal Loye then fell for a first-ball duck and they could only muster 45 in reply. — Sapa