NEW DELHI: Pakistan continued their supremacy in the Hong Kong Sixes tournament by clinching a record sixth title after beating Kuwait by 43 runs in the final at Mission Road Ground, Mong Kok, on Sunday.

What caught everyone's attention was Pakistan's Muhammad Shahzad's celebration, as he imitated Hardik Pandya's iconic trophy pose - the one the star India all-rounder struck after winning the T20 World Cup 2024 title.

Shahzad, a fast-bowling all-rounder, recreated Pandya's iconic celebration by placing the trophy on the ground and striking the trademark shoulder-shrug pose. The photo, which he shared on social media, quickly went viral and drew widespread attention.

"Fun end to the Hong Kong sixes. Thank you to all the fans in Hong Kong who showed up and supported. Always a good feeling winning the trophy on to the next challenge," he captioned the image.

Shahzad played a pivotal role in Pakistan's triumph, finishing as the team's leading wicket-taker with seven scalps during their title run. However, the meaning behind his celebration remains ambiguous - whether it was a gesture of admiration for one of Asia's finest seam-bowling all-rounders or a subtle nod to the recent on-field and off-field exchanges between the two nations.

Batting first, Pakistan produced a batting exhibition to post a mammoth 135 for 3 in just six overs. Skipper Abbas Afridi led from the front with a blistering 52 off 11 deliveries, smashing seven towering sixes before retiring hurt.

Abdul Samad set the tone early with a fiery 42 from 13 balls, while wicketkeeper Khawaja Nafay added a rapid 22 off six. The trio’s power-hitting left Kuwait bowlers helpless as Pakistan maintained an astonishing run rate of 22.5.

In reply, Kuwait made a bright start through Adnan Idrees (30 off 8) and Meet Bhavsar (33 off 12), but their resistance was short-lived. Pakistan's bowlers tightened the screws as Maaz Sadaqat picked three wickets for 29, while Afridi, Abdul Samad, and Muhammad Shahzad took one apiece to wrap up the innings at 92 in 5.1 overs.