Raining sixes: Most sixes hit in a T20I game
T20I cricket, since its emergence in 2005, has ensured quality, competitiveness, drama, and entertainment, with plenty of action and big-hitting. It has raised the bar time and again in terms of the scoring rate, power-hitting and death bowling in white ball cricket, and given rise to numerous cricket leagues across the globe.
T20 cricket has also laid a platform for cricketers who specialise in shorter formats for the strength and skill that they carry, which is best suited for T20 cricket. On that note, here is a list of the top three most sixes hit in a game:
3) Afghanistan vs Ireland – 30
On February 23, 2019, fans witnessed one of the most entertaining matches in the history of T20Is, with 472 runs being scored in the game. Afghanistan batted first and scored a staggering 278 in 20 overs with 22 sixes, courtesy of an unbeaten century by Hazratullah Zazai, scoring 162 off 62 balls. Ireland, in reply, put up 194 on the board for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs, with eight sixes. Paul Stirling was the top scorer with 91 runs off 50 balls.
2) India vs Sri Lanka (2017), New Zealand vs Australia (2021), West Indies vs England (2022) – 31
When India and Sri Lanka faced off on December 22, 2017, India amassed a total of 260 for the loss of five wickets with 21 sixes in the innings. Rohit Sharma scored a spectacular 118 off 43 balls with 10 sixes and 12 fours. Sri Lanka, in the second innings, were bowled out for 172, hitting 10 sixes, taking the overall match tally to 31.
An equal number of sixes were hit when New Zealand took on Australia in Dunedin on February 25, 2021, scoring 219 with 18 sixes, after batting first. Australia, in reply, scored 215 with 13 sixes and lost the match by 4 runs.
West Indies versus England, in Bridgetown on January 26, 2022, also saw 31 sixes with Rovman Powell smacking 10 of them. He was the top scorer with 107 runs. West Indies, defending a target of 225, went on to win the game by 20 runs.
1) West Indies vs India (2016), New Zealand vs Australia (2018) – 32
West Indies and India, in Lauderhill on August 27, 2016, produced one of the best T20Is of all time, with close to 500 runs being scored in the game. West Indies batted first and scored 245 with West Indies scoring 21 sixes. India almost pulled the chase off but agonisingly missed out in the final over, losing the match by 1 run. New Zealand and Australia also hit 32 sixes in Auckland on February 16, 2018, with the Kiwis hitting 18 sixes. The Aussies secured a famous victory in the game, chasing 244.
