The Hong Kong Sixes is a fast-paced cricket tournament designed to deliver maximum action in minimum time. Featuring six-player teams, six-over innings and a series of unusual rules, the competition offers a different take on the traditional game, where every delivery can have an immediate impact.
The tournament features 12 teams competing over three days. Each side fields six players and gets just six overs to bat, leaving only 36 legal deliveries to build an innings.
With little time to settle in, batters must attack early, bowlers need to find creative solutions, and captains have limited room to recover from mistakes.
Rules that make the format unique
The Hong Kong Sixes has several rules designed to keep the action moving. A batter who reaches 50 runs must retire not out, allowing another player to continue the innings. If one of the final two batters is dismissed, a retired batter can return to the crease.
If five wickets fall before the six overs are completed, the final batter continues with the fifth dismissed batter acting as a runner. The innings ends when the sixth wicket falls.
Bowling resources are also tightly controlled. Every player other than the wicketkeeper bowls one over, while one designated player delivers a second over, which cannot be consecutive. Wides and no-balls cost an extra run and an additional delivery, with no free hit for a no-ball.
How does the tournament work?
The 12 teams are divided into four groups of three, with each team playing the other two sides in its group. Their finishing positions determine which knockout competition they enter.
- Cup: Group winners compete for the main title.
- Plate: Second-placed teams compete for the Plate title.
- Bowl: Third-placed teams compete for the Bowl title.
This structure gives all 12 teams a knockout competition to pursue after the group stage.
Hong Kong Sixes 2026: Teams and groups
The 2026 edition features four groups:
- Group A: Australia, England, Hong Kong, China
- Group B: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Scotland
- Group C: India, Pakistan, UAE
- Group D: South Africa, Afghanistan, Oman
Pakistan enter as defending champions after winning the 2025 edition and will be aiming for a seventh title. The 2026 programme also includes a women’s exhibition match.
India’s record at the Hong Kong Sixes
India have won the tournament once, lifting the trophy in 2005 after defeating the West Indies in the final. They have also finished runners-up twice, losing to Pakistan in 1992 and the West Indies in 1996.
India will return in 2026 looking to add a second title to their record.
With 12 teams, six-over innings and three knockout competitions, the Hong Kong Sixes promises three days of attacking cricket, quick decisions and constant momentum.
