Most Sixes In a T20I Innings
The change in the number of overs in white-ball cricket has become a headache for bowlers. Despite the bowlers coming with yorkers, knuckleball, and variation in speed, the concept of power-hitting has helped the batsmen to triumph the game at both domestic and international levels. The T-20 tournaments across the globe have helped the batsmen to get a firm hold on the T20 format of the game.
With advancements in technology and the availability of modern bats, cricket has become easier than ever for batsmen. The batsmen have cleared the ropes easily and sometimes, they even send the balls out of the park. On their way to glory, batsmen have raked in records. One such record is the most sixes in a T20 inning. Here is the list of top five players with the most sixes in a T20 inning at the international level:
1: Hazratullah Zazai (Number of sixes-16)
A name that would take everyone by shock in the list, that too on top is Hazratullah Zazai. Not Rohit Sharma, Not Aaron Finch but the Afghanistan international holds the record for the most sixes in a T20 game. Hazratullah Zazai scored 16 sixes against Ireland in India.
In a bilateral series between the two sides held at Dehradun, Hazratullah Zazai tore Ireland bowlers apart. He scored 162 runs from just 62 deliveries, striking at a strike rate of 261.29. The innings took the Afghanistan side to a daunting total of 278. Chasing the target, Ireland fell short by 84 runs and could score only 194 in 20 overs.
2: Aaron Finch (Number of Sixes-14)
After holding the highest score in a T20 game by a player and an Australian, and the player with most fours in a single T20 inning, Aaron Finch ranks second in the number of sixes by a player in a single T20 International game. Against England at Southampton, Aaron Finch scored 14 sixes on his way to 156 in 2013.
Batting first in Southampton, Australia lost David Warner early and lost the wickets at regular intervals. However, Aaron Finch didn’t stop his assault. His innings guided Australia to 248 in 20 overs. Despite trying hard to chase down the target, England could score only 209 in the stipulated overs.
3: George Munsey (Number of Sixes-14)
One more surprise in the list of five players with the most sixes in a T20 innings is George Munsey of Scotland. Playing against the Netherlands in Malahide, HG Munsey raked up 14 sixes to his name. Striking at a strike rate of 226.78, George Munsey scored 127 from 56 deliveries in a tri-nation series. The player scored five fours on his way to the glory where he led Scotland to a healthy total of 252.
The Netherlands were restricted to 194 after Pieter Seelar’s heroics in the middle order for the opposition.
4: Richard Levi (Number of Sixes-13)
Richard Levi occupies the fourth place in the list of five players with most sixes in a T20 innings with 13 sixes to his name. The forgotten hero of South Africa cricket took New Zealand bowlers to task in 2012 at Hamilton. With the help of 13 sixes, the player scored an unbeaten 117 which also consisted of five fours.
Hashim Amla and Wayne Parnell were back in the hut within the first six overs and the Protea was staring at defeat. However, Levi saved the grace along with AB de Villiers and led South Africa to victory with 24 deliveries remaining.
5: Evin Lewis (Number of Sixes-12)
One of the most dangerous batsmen in the shortest format of the game, Evin Lewis was on the prowl against India in a bilateral series of 2017. India seemed to be on track after scoring 190 in 20 overs with every batsman contributing to the score. The team had also removed Chris Gayle as early as in the ninth over. However, Evin Lewis didn’t allow India to make further inroads. The player lambasted every Indian bowler and raked up 12 sixes in an innings. He also led the team to victory in a single T20 game of the tour.
There are no Indian batsmen in the top five. However, how can one forget Rohit Sharma, one of the most prolific white-ball cricket player for India? Rohit Sharma stands seventh in the list of the players with most sixes in a T20 innings with 10 sixes to his name against Sri Lanka in a game held at Indore.
