 "Nicholas Pooran breaks Chris Gayle's sixes record as Azmatullah Omarzai concedes 36 runs in an over")
West Indies batter Nicholas Pooran had a record-breaking day in the middle as the co-hosts posted a mammoth 218/5 against Afghanistan in the last group match of the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet in St Lucia. The left-handed attacking batter led the charge by helping West Indies gather 36 runs from one single over, which is the joint-most expensive over in T20I cricket history.
T20 World Cup 2024: News | Schedule | Results | Points Table
Pooran had to walk in early to bat after opener Brandon King was dismissed by Afghanistan pacer Azmatullah Omarzai in the second over of the match. In his second over and fourth over of the first innings overall, Omarzai was smashed for 36 runs with Pooran at strike.
Here’s how West Indies got 36 runs in a single over:
Ball 1: Pooran hit it for a six to third man.
Ball 2: No ball. Pooran played a pull shot to mid-wicket for a four.
Ball 2: 5 wides.
Ball 2: Pooran got bowled but it was a free hit.
Ball 3: Leg side ball hit the pads and beat the keeper for four runs.
Ball 4: Fuller ball outside off is hit for four at point.
Ball 5: A six over cow corner.
Ball 6: Another six over long-off.
Pooran’s onslaught also helped West Indies to put up 92 runs in the powerplay against Afghanistan – this is the highest powerplay total in men’s T20 World Cup history.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsHighest powerplay scores in men’s T20 World Cups
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| West Indies | 92 v Afghanistan (2024) |
| Netherlands | 91 v Ireland (2014 |
| England | 89 v South Africa (2016) |
| South Africa | 83 v England (2016) |
| India | 82 v Scotland (2021) |
His knock ended on 98 after a run out – this is the highest individual score at T20 World Cup 2024.
Highest individual scores at T20 World Cup 2024
| Player | Score |
|---|---|
| Nicholas Pooran | 98 v Afghanistan |
| Aaron Jones | 94* v Canada |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | 80 v New Zealand |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | 76 v Uganda |
| Ibrahim Zadran | 70 v Uganda |
Overall, Pooran hit eight sixes in his whirlwind knock to break Chris Gayle’s record and become the batter with the most sixes for West Indies in men’s T20Is.
| Player | Sixes |
|---|---|
| Nicholas Pooran | 128 |
| Chris Gayle | 124 |
| Evin Lewis | 111 |
| Kieron Pollard | 99 |
| Rovman Powell | 90 |
West Indies’ total of 218/5 is also the highest score for the Caribbean side at men’s T20 World Cups.
| Opponents | Score |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 218/5 (2024) |
| South Africa | 205/6 (2007 |
| Australia | 205/4 (2012) |
| India | 196/3 (2016) |
| Australia | 191/8 (2012) |
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