We can fairly say that the main reason behind the increasing popularity of T20 cricket is surely the fast-paced and explosive action of the matches.
Over the years, cricket in limited-over matches has become really advanced. Teams have started posting majestic totals and pushing their limits in all aspects of the game. Hence, whenever we think about explosive action and boundaries, we instantly think of the names such as Chris Gayle, Rohit Sharma, Martin Guptill, Aaron Finch, and more.
Hence, fans can think of the players who must have scored the highest number of sixes but they might feel a little troubled thinking about the teams with the most six-run shots. So, come with us as we take a look at the list of teams with the most sixes in T20I innings.
#5 Austria vs Luxembourg, Ilfov County, 2019: 21 Sixes
Cricket is, surely, not the most famous sport in Europe. However, year by year, numerous nations are showing their interest in the sport. Two of those cricket-evolving countries are Austria and Luxembourg.
In 2019, both countries faced each other in the seventh match of the Continental Cup. Other teams to participate in the tournament were Turkey, Romania, and the Czech Republic. However, Austria and the Czech Republic were seen as the strongest sides.
The Austrians were coming in the match after an easy 8-wicket win over the Czech Republic, while Luxembourg suffered a disappointing loss against Romania earlier. The toss went in the favor of Austria and they decided to bat first. However, no one expected the match to turn into a boundary fest. Their opening batsman, Bilal Zalmai smashed five sixes with a strike rate of 200.
Moreover, Razmal Shigiwal and Mirza Ahsan utterly bullied the bowling line-up of Luxembourg as they scored 7 sixes each. Consequently, Ahsan completed his half-century in just 14 balls. With the help of their middle order, Austria posted a majestic total of 240 for Luxembourg to chase. However, Luxembourg failed miserably in the chase and lost the match by 135 runs.
#4 India vs Sri Lanka, Indore, 2017: 21 Sixes
Rohit Sharma’s brilliant 118-run innings helped India defeat Sri Lanka easily at Indore
Rohit Sharma was, by far, the most explosive player in the Indian line-up during the last decade. When India faced Sri Lanka in the 2nd T20I in Indore, the Indian fans had a great night. Talking about the match, Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first. However, they were utterly unaware of the storm they were going to get hit by at Holkar Cricket Stadium.
The opening pair of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul made sure that not even a single ball goes to waste. The Hitman was smashing sixes from his corner while Rahul was circulating the play with singles. Rohit Sharma completed his century in just 35 deliveries. However, he later lost his wicket on a score of 118 runs. In his innings, he smashed 12 sixes and 10 fours. KL Rahul rightly followed his triumph with eight sixes.
After 20 overs, India reached a total of 260 runs. When Thisara Perera’s side came on the pitch to chase the majestic total, all the batters except Upul Tharanga and Kusal Perera failed to have an impact on the game. Hence, India won the match and also sealed the series 2-0.
#3 West Indies vs India, Lauderhill, 2016: 21 Sixes
Irrespective of the playing venue, India facing West Indies is always a joy to watch for the fans. Hence, a mouthwatering encounter between the sides was seen in 2016 during India’s tour of the West Indies. Playing under MS Dhoni’s captaincy, Men in Blue won the toss and decided to field.
The Windies’ opening pair of Johnson Charles and Evin Lewis stood as the very first obstacle in the way of Indian bowlers. With seven sixes, Charles scored 77 runs off just 33 deliveries, on the other hand, Evin Lewis slammed nine sixes scoring 100 runs off 49 balls. In the end, Andre Russell(2), Kieron Pollard(2), and Carlos Brathwaite(1) also found the other side of the boundary a couple of times.
The Indian team had a total of 246 runs to chase. Rohit Sharma gave a speedy start to the Men in Blue while Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli lost their wickets early. The Hitman was later joined by KL Rahul in the chase. Rahul’s game-changing 110 runs in the innings helped India get really close to the prize but not far enough. MS Dhoni’s side lost the match by just 1 run.
#2 Afghanistan vs Ireland, Dehradun, 2019: 22 Sixes
Hazratullah’s heroic 162-run innings make the match highly memorable for Afghanistan
Over the last few years, Afghanistan and Ireland have become arch-rivals. At times, the Irish side walks victorious, however, sometimes the Afghans can’t stop winning. In February 2019, both nations faced off against each other in the second T20I at Doon Sports Club, Dehradun.
Afghanistan was already confident as they won the inaugural match of the series. On the other side, it was a do-or-die match for Paul Stirling’s side. After winning the toss, Asghar Afghan decided that his team would bat first. The young opening pair of Hazratullah Zazai and Usman Ghani came on the pitch for Afghanistan and the rest is history.
Hazratullah Zazai’s 162-run innings in just 62 balls became a part of the history books forever. He smashed 16 sixes and 11 fours to reach the peak with the dominant strike rate of 261. Usman Ghani also gave good support to his batting partner by scoring 73 runs with the help of three sixes.
After the dismissal of Ghani, Shafiqillah Shafaq and Mohammad Nabi’s arrival also met with a few sixes. Paul Stirling’s side had a 279-run target to chase. Hence, they failed to chase the target and lost the match as well as the series by 84 runs.
#1 West Indies vs South Africa, Centurion, 2023: 22 Sixes
We saw an absolute batting masterclass when South Africa faced West Indies at the SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium on March 26, 2023. It was the second T20I of the three-match series.
After the first match of the series got affected by the rain, supporters were praying that the factor doesn’t hinder the play again. However, we saw a bit of drizzling but that was nothing in front of the storm of sixes. Aiden Markram decided to bowl first after South Africa won the toss.
As the match started, Brandon King was dismissed early by Wayne Parnell. Hence, it was the partnership of Kyle Mayers and Johnson Charles who led the team to heights. Mayers scored a 26-ball half-century bashing four sixes.
On the other side, Charles annihilated the South African bowling line-up with 11 sixes and 10 fours. The St Lucian batsman played highly important innings of 118 runs. A few more sixes in the making were scored by Romario Shepherd(4), Rovman Powell(2), and Odean Smith(1).
Hence, The Proteas had a wall-like total of 259 runs to chase, which had never been chased by any team in the history of the sport. However, Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks had something else on their minds.
From the start, De Kock was smashing sixes all around the cricket stadium. The Proteas crossed the 145-run mark in just 10 overs. Consequently, with the help of 13 sixes and 29 boundaries, they managed to take down the biggest run chase in T20I history.