Natarajan's 38 Not Enough as India Fall to UAE at Hong Kong Sixes

India slipped to their second defeat in as many matches at the Hong Kong Sixes, going down to the United Arab Emirates by six wickets on Saturday.

Playing at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground in Kowloon, the UAE won the toss and elected to bowl. India batted first and were restricted to 94 for six in their six overs.

T. Natarajan top-scored with 38 runs from 14 balls. Batting at the lower order, he struck four sixes and three fours, but his effort could not steer the side to a competitive total.

Rahul Tripathi, who walked in to open, made 24 runs from seven deliveries, with three sixes and a four. Captain Krunal Pandya scored 15 off eight balls. Nitish Rana made six, while Rahul Tewatia and Shashank Singh were both dismissed for one run.

The target of 95 proved simple for the UAE. They reached 97 without losing a wicket inside 4.2 overs.

Khalid Shah, who captained the side and kept wicket, finished unbeaten on 52 from 14 balls, hitting six sixes and three fours. Ansh Tandon was also not out, striking 39 from 12 balls with five sixes and two fours.

With the ball, Natarajan went for 43 runs in two overs, and Shashank Singh and Nitish Rana were also expensive. Shashank conceded 17 in one over, Rana 24 in one, and Pandya gave away 12 runs in two balls.

Zahid Ali was named Player of the Match for his two wickets and 32 runs conceded in two overs.

After losing their opener to Pakistan by four wickets, India now face a tough road ahead in the tournament.