In the cricketing world, hitting six sixes in an over is like finding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow - rare, dazzling, and utterly magical.
Dipendra Singh Airee, the 24-year-old all-rounder from Nepal, etched his name in T20I history by becoming only the third player to hit six sixes in an over during a thrilling match against Qatar. This remarkable feat was accomplished during the ACC Men’s Premier Cup held at the AI Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman.
Elite Company: Joining Yuvraj Singh and Kieron Pollard
Dipendra Singh Airee's feat places him in an elite company alongside two legendary cricketers, Yuvraj Singh and Kieron Pollard. Yuvraj was the first to achieve this extraordinary feat during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in 2007 when he famously struck Stuart Broad for six sixes in an over. Subsequently, Kieron Pollard replicated this achievement in 2021 by dispatching Akila Dananjaya for six sixes during a match in Coolidge.
- Yuvraj Singh vs England in 2007
- Kieron Pollard vs Sri Lanka in 2021
- Dipendra Singh Airee vs Qatar in 2024
Match details
During Nepal's innings against Qatar, Airee's onslaught unfolded during the final over of the match, bowled by medium-pacer Kamran Khan. Airee, who was batting on 28 off 15 balls at the beginning of the over, proceeded to launch an extraordinary assault, hitting each delivery for a maximum. This barrage of sixes propelled Airee's score to an explosive 64 off just 21 deliveries, contributing significantly to Nepal's formidable total of 210/7 for the innings.
Dipendra Singh Airee's innings were characterized by three boundaries (fours) and an impressive tally of seven sixes, underscoring his exceptional striking ability and determination. His performance not only secured a remarkable victory for Nepal but also solidified his place in cricketing history as one of the few to achieve this remarkable milestone in T20I cricket.
6️⃣ x 6️⃣ in an over and Dipendra Singh Airee makes history 🔥pic.twitter.com/TJZkafVRrJ— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) April 13, 2024
Dipendra Singh Airee Is Not New to Making Records
Dipendra Singh Airee is no stranger to etching his name in cricketing history, having left an indelible mark on the sport long before his recent feats. The Nepalese cricketer first made headlines when he shattered the record for the fastest T20I fifty, previously held by Yuvraj Singh, achieving this milestone in just nine balls during the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, against Mongolia.
During that remarkable innings against Mongolia, Airee's explosive batting prowess was on full display. He not only dispatched five consecutive sixes in a single over but also opened the next over with another massive six, demonstrating his remarkable hitting ability.
The match against Mongolia was not just about individual milestones; Nepal as a team also set a new world record by amassing a colossal total of 314 for three, before swiftly bowling out their opponents for a mere 41 runs.
Airee's achievement in hitting six sixes in an over places him among an elite group of cricketers. Before him, Herschelle Gibbs of South Africa and Jaskaran Malhotra of the USA had achieved this rare feat in ODIs. Gibbs first accomplished this during the 2007 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup against the Netherlands, while Malhotra replicated it in 2021 against Papua New Guinea.
Dipendra Singh Airee's rise in international cricket began with the ICC Men's U19 Cricket World Cup in 2016, where his talent caught the eye. By the age of 17, he had already secured a place in Nepal's senior team, heralding a promising career trajectory.
As the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 approaches, Airee's form is a significant boost for Nepal. Placed in Group D alongside South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands, Nepal aims to make a mark in this prestigious tournament hosted across the Caribbean Islands and the USA.
So here's to Dipendra Singh Airee, the newest member of the six-sixes club. Airee's exploits promise excitement and anticipation as Nepal prepares to take on cricketing giants on the world stage.
Inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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