NEW DELHI: India had to endure a huge setback after the one-run defeat to UAE on Saturday, ensuring the Men in Blue’s premature elimination from this year’s Hong Kong Sixes.
Chasing a daunting total of 131, India faced a challenging final over, requiring 31 runs for victory.
Former India all-rounder Stuart Binny, known for his powerful hitting, was up to the task.
Facing Asif Khan, Binny immediately smashed a boundary off the first ball, followed by a wide, which brought some hope.
He then unleashed four consecutive sixes, electrifying the crowd and bringing India within three runs of victory with just one ball remaining.
On the final delivery, Binny swung hard but missed. He tried to complete a double, but his attempt fell short, leaving India just one run shy of a win in a thrilling finish.
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Despite his heroic efforts, India lost to UAE by a single run, marking a heartbreaking end to their tournament journey.
With two losses in two games, India’s campaign concluded in a sorry manner, denoting the high stakes and intensity of the Hong Kong Sixes format.
The tournament returned after a seven-year hiatus, featuring a six-over-per-side format with 12 international teams, including India.
In Pool C, India were grouped alongside Pakistan and UAE.
Earlier, India’s campaign had dealt with a six-wicket defeat to Pakistan, giving them a poor start to the tournament.
In their second game against UAE, India needed a dramatic turnaround to keep their hopes alive. However, following the narrow defeat, India finished last in their respective pool with a negative net run rate.
