India thrash UAE by 14 runs in Hong Kong Sixes

A captain's knock from Robin Singh and a hard-hitting contribution from Hrishikesh Kanitkar propelled India to a 14-run win over UAE.

In keeping with the trend in tournament until now, UAE skipper Khuram Khan invited the Indians to bat after winning the toss. His decision seemed to have paid off when Nikhil Chopra, run out for one, and Hemang Badani were dismissed within the space of two balls to leave the Indians tottering at 2-2 in the first over.

But Robin Singh, who led India in the 2001 edition too, and Kanitkar resuscitated Indian hopes. The southpaws made 34 each - Robin Singh taking 11 balls to reach the score while Kanitkar got there in one ball less. With Reetinder Sodhi also making 20 off six balls with as many as three sixes, India posted the highest total of the morning.

UAE, who had already lost the tournament opener to Sri Lanka, were always going to struggle to win from there on. Openers Arshad Ali (27) and Ahmed Nadeem (29) made a rousing start, clattering 23 runs off the first over bowled by Hemang Badani. But once the more experienced Indian bowlers were brought on, they struggled to keep up with the asking rate.

The final nail in their coffin was driven by Robin Singh, who conceded just one run in his last over - a rare event at the Sixes tournament - to seal his side's 14-run win. UAE now have one league match remaining against South Africa. India, meanwhile, have joined Sri Lanka at the top of the Pool 1 leaderboard.