A YEAR ago today, on the first morning of the first Hong Kong Sixes, nobody knew quite what to expect. The players were not too sure, neither were the spectators and, if they were honest, neither were the organisers. Today, on the first morning of the second Sixes, no-one has any doubts that Hong Kong is on to a winner. Last year's inaugural Sixes was successful beyond the dreams of the organisers as the players produced quickfire cricketing theatre in front of a crowd which thirsted for more. For those who took the plunge last year and made the pilgrimage to the Kowloon Cricket Club, these second Hong Kong Sixes will not have come round quickly enough. And for those who thought about it last year, but only thought about it, then there is a fair chance they will be making their debut this season - in one of the 50 patrons' boxes or in one of the 4,300 seats on the stands for the general public. The only problem the second Sixes will have, apart from the possibility of wet weather, of course, is repeating the drama and excitement of last year's event. On the opening day, as the crowd warmed to the format, there were three major talking points, two of them involving Hong Kong. ''Did you see Ross Greer's catch?'' was the most popular question being asked, following the athletic Aussie's incredible one-handed diving catch to dismiss former Australian Test opener Graeme Wood. Then there were the two mighty sixes from Viv Richards to enable the West Indies to skip past Sri Lanka in the last over of a group game. Richards, sauntering back to the pavilion, was congratulated on his performance. ''It had to be done,'' came the reply . . . and we had witnessed a genius at work. When Pakistan's world champions met Hong Kong's collection of club cricketers in the late afternoon sunshine, the seal would be set on an unforgettable opening day's play. It began as a mismatch - Miandad, Wasim and Waqar on one side, insurance managers, teachers and stockbrokers on the other - and ended in a blur, a mis-field, and Hong Kong the victors by four wickets on the very last ball of a roller-coaster game. Pakistan's 88 for one in five overs would surely not be threatened by Hong Kong. But Stewart Brew had other ideas, striking a courageous unbeaten 36, including four sixes and two fours, to put Hong Kong in the hunt before senior batsman Steve Atkinson completed the kill by taking 10 runs off the final three deliveries bowled by Waqar Younis. Hong Kong had beaten the world champions and the KCC was the scene of delight, despair and downright disbelief. The Sixes were up and running. After all, if this could happen, anything could happen - yet another important ingredient in this colourful cricketing cocktail. Suddenly cricket was alive, exciting and entertaining, and Test match players - super heroes in their home countries - were right here on the doorstep. The only problem facing the organisers now is whether to keep the event at the homely KCC venue, with its 5,000-capacity, or to move to the new national stadium, which will be able to accommodate eight times as many people. It will be an interesting decision in the short but eventful life of the Hong Kong Sixes. The territory's cricket-crazy Pakistani community have persuaded organisers to change the order of play - so they will not miss their main prayers of the week. Pakistan were due to begin their defence of the trophy against Sri Lanka at 1.30 pm today. But that match has been brought forward to 10.30 am at the request of 18-year-old Zain Nizami, a spokesman for the Islamic community in Hong Kong. ''I saw the schedule of play in the South China Morning Post and realised that we couldn't watch Pakistan against Sri Lanka at 1.30 pm because it clashed with our Friday prayers,'' said Zain. ''I spoke to a lot of my friends and decided to contact (organisers) Cricket World International and make them aware of our feelings. ''Friday is our most sacred day, especially our prayers between 1 pm and 1.45 pm. Obviously we would like to support our team but prayers are more important than a cricket match. ''We asked them if they could swap the games around, bringing the Pakistan-Sri Lanka match forward to 10.30 am and playing the Sri Lanka-Hong Kong game at 1.30 pm.'' Brian Catton, the executive director of CWI, said: ''I must admit we were unaware of this and it caught us out a bit. ''I think it would be fair to say it is a legitimate request, provided no other team is disadvantaged by it. ''The Pakistan supporters were a great part of the success of last year's tournament and really got behind their team. ''It makes a lot of sense to change the matches.''