HONG KONG, Nov 11: Pakistan went in to Honk Kong Cricket Sixes 2001 as the hot favourites and they lived up to the top billing by winning the final against South Africa by 11 runs Sunday to complete their hat trick of titles here.

Once Pakistan got things right at the toss, they piled on the runs in the five overs and they finished with a total of 98/3.

Imran Nazir (30) and stand-in captain Wasim Akram (23) gave Pakistan an electrifying start. Imran struck three sixes and Akram hit two, to take their tally for the tournament to 11 sixes.

Imran eventually was caught by Crookes off Thomas and Akram was brilliantly run out by Andrew Hall.

Shahid Afridi threatened to take apart the bowling; he made 16 runs off just four balls and was bowled by Steve Elworthy. Azhar Mahmood hit two massive sixes, one of which cleared the ground to remained unbeaten on 13.

South Africa, in reply, got off to a fantastic start scoring 26 off the first over bowled by Azhar; Elworthy smacking a six into the swimming pool. Afridi was also punished as his over cost 22 runs.

At that stage, South Africa were in the hunt. But once Wasim Akram came in to bowl and things changed with yet another spectacular over (1-0-10-0). Akram’s analysis for the tournament were 5-0-27-3.

Loots Bosman had to retire not out (31), hitting three sixes and three boundaries. Elworthy struck some lusty shots, but his knock of 24 came to an end when he caught by Akram in the deep off Shoaib Malik.

South Africa, who defeated England in their semifinal, could not keep up the pace and finished on 87/1 in five overs.

Appropriately, Wasim Akram was named the Man of the Tournament for his all-round brilliance. Earlier, Akram was at his vintage best as Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 34 runs in the semifinal.

Imran Nazir hit four huge sixes in making 27 off nine balls. Akram had to retire not out after making 36 off just 10 balls, smashing four sixes and two boundaries while Afridi’s 20 came off seven balls as Pakistan reached 107/1.

Almost all Sri Lankan bowlers suffered in the avalanche of runs, Dulip Liyanage was the most expensive (1-0-35-0).

Sri Lanka were never in the run chase against a competent bowling attack. Akram bowled yet another brilliant over (1-0-4-0), which effectively choked the Sri Lankans, who managed 73/1.

Sunday’s results (all innings restricted to 5 overs unless stated):

POOL A: England bt UAE by 4 wkts. UAE 81/2 (Kaif Gaury 31; P.D. Collingwood 1-12, B.C. Hollioake 1-22); England 83/2 in 4.1 overs (M.P. Maynard 36 retired; Ahmed Nadeem 1-19, Khurram Khan 1-21).

POOL B: South Africa bt Hong Kong by 5 wkts. Hong Kong 58/3 (S.J. Brew 32 retired; A.C. Thomas 2-4, A.J. Hall 1-12); South Africa 59/1 in 3 overs (L.L. Bosman 35 retired; Najeeb Amar 1-13).

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