Nicholas Pooran breaks Chris Gayle's all-time six-hitting record against Afghanistan in T20 World Cup 2024

West Indies wicketkeeper-batter Nicholas Pooran etched his name in the history books following his batting heroics against Afghanistan in the 40th match of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Nicholas Pooran surpassed legendary opener Chris Gayle's record for most sixes for the West Indies in T20Is.

The West Indies continued their dominance in their final group stage match of the T20 World Cup 2024. The home team posted a mammoth total of 218/5 in 20 overs in St. Lucia on Tuesday, June 18 (India time). In response, Afghanistan managed to score just 114 runs in 16.2 overs, suffering a heavy 104-run defeat.

Nicholas Pooran Breaks Chris Gayle's All-Time Record

Nicholas Pooran came to the crease when the West Indies lost the first wicket for 22 runs in the second over. Pooran added an 80-run partnership with Johnson Charles for the second wicket to stabilize the innings. The left-handed batter reached his half-century off 31 balls against the quality Afghanistan bowling attack.

The left-handed batter took charge of the West Indies innings until the end. Pooran smashed Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan for 24 runs in the 18th over. He was run out on the fourth ball of the final over, narrowly missing out on a well-deserved century by just two runs as he was dismissed for 98 runs off 53 balls.

The 28-year-old batter smashed six boundaries and eight maximums during his spectacular innings. Pooran broke Chris Gayle's record for the most sixes by a West Indies batter in T20I cricket. The wicketkeeper-batter now holds the top spot with 128 sixes, with Gayle in second place with 124 sixes to his name.

Most Sixes For West Indies In T20Is

Nicholas Pooran - 128 sixes

Chris Gayle - 124 sixes

Evin Lewis - 111 sixes

Kieron Pollard - 99 sixes

Rovman Powell - 90 sixes

In response, Afghanistan were bowled out for 114 runs in 16.2 overs. Obed McCoy recorded bowling figures of 3/14 in three overs, while Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie took two wickets each. The result of the match had no impact on the World Cup standings, as both teams had already secured their places in the Super 8s.

I Assessed The Conditions Early On - Nicholas Pooran

After receiving the "Player of the Match" award, Nicholas Pooran expressed satisfaction with his performance despite being run out on 98. Pooran emphasized the importance of building a respectable total and highlighted the challenge posed by Afghanistan's spinners.

"You don’t want to be on 97 and get run-out but it was all about reaching a respectable total. I assessed the conditions early on, we had a good start in the powerplay, and I had to take responsibility in the middle overs with the Afghanistan spinners bowling. I just felt that it was my night and I could get on with it. It’s difficult to strike the ball when it’s a little slow and spinning, but when you get a good wicket like this, you got to capitalize, got to appreciate the conditions," Pooran said.

Also read: West Indies enters the record books against Afghanistan; Azmatullah Omarzai concedes 36 runs in an over