Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi holds the record for the most sixes in ODI cricket.

Having made his One-Day International (ODI) debut against Kenya in Nairobi in 1996, Shahid Afridi ended his illustrious career with 351 sixes in 398 matches in the 50-over format.

Flamboyant West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle features second on the list of most sixes in ODI cricket. Nicknamed "The Universe Boss", the former Caribbean cricketer smashed 331 sixes in 301 matches in One-Day Internationals.

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma is third on the most sixes in ODI cricket list. Since making his ODI debut against Ireland in Belfast in 2007, Rohit Sharma has clobbered 323 sixes in just 263 ODIs.

Apart from Rohit Sharma, 2011 World Cup-winning captain MS Dhoni (229), legendary duo of Sachin Tendulkar (195) and Sourav Ganguly (190) are the other Indian batters who feature in the top 10 list of most sixes in One-Day International cricket. 

Know the players with most sixes in ODI cricket.

Most sixes in ODI cricket

Player	Span	Matches	Innings	Sixes
Shahid Afridi (Asia/ICC/PAK)	1996-2015	398	369	351
Chris Gayle (ICC/WI)	1999-2019	301	294	331
Rohit Sharma (IND)	2007-2024	263	254	323
Sanath Jayasuriya (Asia/SL)	1989-2011	445	433	270
MS Dhoni (Asia/IND)	2004-2019	350	297	229
Eoin Morgan (ENG/IRE)	2006-2022	248	230	220
AB de Villiers (Afr/SA)	2005-2018	228	218	204
Brendon McCullum (NZ)	2002-2016	260	228	200
Sachin Tendulkar (IND)	1989-2012	463	452	195
Sourav Ganguly (Asia/IND)Â	1992-2007	311	300	190

Shahid Afridi | 351 ODI sixes

Known for his six-hitting prowess in international and domestic circuit, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi still tops the most sixes in ODI cricket list. Between 1996 and 2015, Shahid Afridi slammed 351 sixes in 398 matches in One-Day Internationals. He clobbered a total of 476 maximums in his international career.

Chris Gayle | 331 ODI sixes

Former West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle is second on the most sixes in ODI cricket list. Considered to be one of the most destructive batters of all-time, Chris Gayle smashed 331 ODI sixes in 301 matches. Gayle hit the second-most sixes in international cricket, having hammered 553 maximums in his legendary career.

Rohit Sharma | 323 ODI sixes

India’s swashbuckling opening batter Rohit Sharma holds the record for the most sixes in international cricket. Since making his international debut in 2007, Rohit Sharma has clobbered a record 612 maximums in his career at the highest level. In the 50-over format, the right-handed batter has smacked 323 ODI sixes in 263 matches. 

Sanath Jayasuriya | 270 ODI sixes

Former Sri Lankan cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya slammed 270 sixes in ODI cricket, the fourth-most in history. Between 1989 and 2011, Sanath Jayasuriya was a consistent performer for the star-studded Sri Lanka cricket team in white-ball cricket. He clobbered a total of 352 maximums in his international career.

MS Dhoni | 229 ODI sixes

Former India cricket team captain MS Dhoni completes the top five list for most sixes in ODI cricket. Widely regarded as one of the most prolific wicket-keeper batters and captains, MS Dhoni smashed 229 ODI sixes in 350 matches between 2004 and 2019. Overall, the legendary wicketkeeper-batter recorded 359 sixes in international cricket.

Photo credit: Alamy

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 began on June 2 (as per IST) and will run till June 29 in the West Indies and the United States. 

Featuring as many as 20 teams, a total of 55 matches will be played over four weeks in the ninth edition of the T20 World Cup.

Some of the world's leading T20 bowlers including the likes of Adil Rashid, Wanindu Hasaranga, Axar Patel, Maheesh Theekshana, Josh Hazlewood, Rashid Khan and Jasprit Bumrah are featuring in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.

Namibia’s left-arm pacer Ruben Trumpelmann was the first bowler to register a four-wicket haul in T20 World Cup 2024. The 26-year-old pacer recorded figures of 4 for 21 to help his side bowl out Oman for 109 in 19.4 overs. Namibia later beat Oman in a Super Over in the third match of the T20 World Cup.

Sri Lanka cricket team captain Wanindu Hasaranga finished with the most wickets in the previous two editions of the T20 World Cup in 2021 and 2022.

In the 2022 edition of the T20 World Cup in Australia, star leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga scalped 15 wickets in eight matches at an average of 13.26 and an economy of 6.41.

Prior to that in the 2021 edition, Hasaranga also bagged the most wickets in the T20 World Cup in Oman and the United Arab Emirates. He claimed 16 wickets in eight games at an average of 9.75 and an economy of 5.20, which is also the record for the most wickets in any edition of the T20 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan holds the record for the most wickets in T20 World Cup history.

Between 2007 and 2022, the slow left-arm orthodox spinner has bagged 47 wickets in 36 matches at an average of 18.63 and an economy of 6.78.

Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi (39 wickets) and ex-Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga (38 wickets) feature next on the list of most wickets in T20 World Cup history.

Apart from Wanindu Hasaranga, the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Matheesha Pathirana, Adam Zampa, Kuldeep Yadav and Mitchell Starc will be in contention to be leading wicket-takers in the ongoing T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the United States. 

Here’s a look at the players with the most wickets in T20 World Cup 2024.

Most wickets in T20 World Cup 2024

Player	Team	Matches	Wickets
Fazalhaq Farooqi	Afghanistan	8	17
Arshdeep Singh	India	8	17
Jasprit Bumrah	India	8	15
Anrich Nortje	South Africa	9	15
Rashid Khan	Afghanistan	8	14
Rishad Hossain	Bangladesh	7	14
Naveen-ul-Haq	Afghanistan	8	13
Alzarri Joseph	West Indies	7	13
Adam Zampa	Australia	7	13
Kagiso Rabada	South Africa	9	13

Photo credit: Alamy

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan holds the record for most wickets in T20 World Cup history.

Shakib Al Hasan has 47 wickets in 36 matches at an average of 18.63 and an economy rate of 6.78. He also has three four-wicket hauls in T20 World Cups with the best bowling effort of 4/9 that came against Papua New Guinea in the 2021 edition. 

Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi is second on the list of most wickets in T20 World Cup with 39 wickets in 34 matches at an economy of 6.71. Sri Lanka’s legendary fast bowler Lasith Malinga is next on the list with 38 T20 World Cup wickets in 31 matches at an economy rate of 7.43. Malinga’s best T20 World Cup spell was his 5/31 which rocked England in 2012.

Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis and fast bowler Umar Gul round off the top five list for most wickets in T20 World Cups.

Most wickets in T20 World Cup

Player	Matches	Wickets	Economy Rate	Best Bowling
Shakib Al Hasan	36	47	6.78	4/9
Shahid Afridi	34	39	6.71	4/11
Lasith Malinga	31	38	7.43	5/31
Saeed Ajmal	23	36	6.79	4/19
Ajantha Mendis	21	35	6.70	6/8
Umar Gul	24	35	7.30	5/6

Here’s a look at the top wicket-takers in each edition of the ICC T20 World Cup.

ICC T20 World Cup 2007: Umar Gul 

Pakistan fast bowler Umar Gul was in tremendous form in the ICC T20 World Cup 2007 as he played an instrumental role in taking his side to the final with 13 wickets. He was also the pick of the bowlers in the final with 3/28 but ended up on the losing side. Interestingly, he was one of three bowlers who missed hitting the stumps in the bowl out that handed India a victory in a league stage match.

ICC T20 World Cup 2009: Umar Gul

Umar Gul once again was the highest wicket-taker in the tournament for the second consecutive time with 13 wickets. However, this time he went on to win the T20 title with Pakistan after falling agonizingly short in the final against India in the inaugural edition in 2007. He finished with figures of 1/29 in a final against Sri Lanka which Pakistan won comfortably by eight wickets. 

ICC T20 World Cup 2010: Dirk Nannes

The T20 World Cup 2010 was the highlight of Dirk Nannes�career after he finished as the highest wicket-taker with 14 scalps, including a best of 4/18 against Bangladesh. Though he had a short T20 career, Nannes made the most of it at the 2010 World Cup by playing a key role as Australia progressed to the final before succumbing to defeat against England.

ICC T20 World Cup 2012: Ajantha Mendis

Sri Lanka’s Ajantha Mendis spun a web around opposition batsmen in the ICC T20 World Cup 2012. He topped the wicket-taking charts with 15 wickets. In the very first match of the tournament, Mendis returned with mind-boggling figures of 6/8 against Zimbabwe. He also bowled magnificently in the final against West Indies with a bowling effort of 4/12 although it wasn’t enough to help Sri Lanka win the coveted T20 title.

ICC T20 World Cup 2014: Imran Tahir & Ahsan Malik

South Africa’s Imran Tahir and Netherlands�Ahsan Malik were the joint leading wicket-takers in the ICC T20 World Cup 2014 with 12 scalps apiece. Tahir produced a best bowling effort of 4/21 against the Dutch while Malik made it to the top of the wicket-takers list as an associate bowler. Malik scalped 5/19 versus South Africa but the Proteas eventually crashed out in the semi-finals, while Netherlands could not go past the group stages. 

ICC T20 World Cup 2016: Mohammad Nabi

Off-spinner Mohammad Nabi produced great individual performances with the ball at the ICC T20 World Cup 2016 and topped the wicket-takers list with 12 scalps, one more than countrymate Rashid Khan. Though Afghanistan could not go beyond the group stages, Nabi’s bowling was a bright spark for Afghanistan in what was otherwise a disappointing campaign.

ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Wanindu Hasaranga

Sri Lankan leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga showcased exemplary bowling skills to finish the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 as the highest wicket-taker with a haul of 16 wickets with a best of 3/20 against South Africa in the Super 12 stage. Though Sri Lanka failed to reach the knockout stages of the competition, the leggie's bowling was a massive boost to a bowling unit that lacked confidence and execution.

ICC T20 World Cup 2022: Wanindu Hasaranga

Wanindu Hasaranga once again ended with most wickets in the 2022 edition of the T20 World Cup in Australia. Sri Lankan star leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga scalped 15 wickets in eight matches at an average of 13.26 and an economy of 6.41. His best bowling figures of 4-0-8-3 at the marquee T20 tournament came against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a First Round Group A encounter in Geelong in October 2022.

Photo credit: Surjeet Yadav / AFP

The record for the fastest fifty in cricket history is held by Nepal's Dipendra Singh Airee, who smashed a nine-ball half-century against Mongolia in the 2023 Asian Games. His knock helped set up a 273-run win for Nepal.

Ashutosh Sharma from Railways hit the second-fastest fifty in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2023. Playing against Arunachal Pradesh, Ashutosh achieved the record in 11 balls. 

Meanwhile, the record for the third fastest fifty in cricket history by balls faced is 12 deliveries, and five cricketers have achieved the feat to date.

Among the five, Yuvraj Singh is the only Indian to feature as the quickest half-centurion in cricket history.

Here we take a look at the record batters who have scored the fastest fifty in cricket history.

Fastest fifty in cricket history

Player	Balls faced	Year	Format
Dipendra Singh Airee	9	2023	T20
Ashutosh Sharma	11	2023	T20
Yuvraj Singh	12	2007	T20
Wayne White	12	2012	First-Class
Chris Gayle	12	2016	T20
Hazratullah Zazai	12	2018	T20

Fastest fifty in First-Class cricket

Wayne White is the record holder for the fastest fifty in First-Class cricket, having hit an unbeaten 12-ball 50 against Essex in 2012.

After playing out a knock of 53 runs in 111 deliveries in the first innings of the 2012 County Championship Division 2 match, White raced to his half-century in the second innings in record time.

His knock was infused with four boundaries and four sixes as he helped Leicestershire give Essex a target of 270 runs to chase. The match was eventually drawn.

Player	Team	Opponent	Balls faced	Year
Wayne White	Leicestershire	Essex	12	2012
Michael van Vuuren	Eastern Province ‘B�/span>	Griqualand West	13	1985
Ned Eckersley	Leicestershire	Essex	14	2012
Khalil Mahmood	Gujranwala	Sargodha	15	2000
Bandeep Singh	Jammu and Kashmir	Tripura	15	2015

The same match would see Wayne White’s team-mate Ned Eckersley hit a 14-ball fifty and remain unbeaten with a 19-ball 70 alongside White.

Meanwhile, in India, Bandeep Singh scripted a historic record of his own in 2015. Representing Jammu and Kashmir in the Ranji Trophy match against Tripura, Bandeep smashed a 15-ball 50 to help his side set a target of 368 to win the match.

Bandeep Singh’s knock still stands as the fastest fifty in Ranji Trophy history. To know about Ranji Trophy records, click here.

Fastest fifty in Test cricket

In the international format, former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq holds the record for the fastest fifty in Test cricket.

Misbah took a record 24 minutes to reach his Test half-century in the 2014 Pakistan vs Australia Test in Abu Dhabi and broke the previous record held by Jacques Kallis in 2009 against Zimbabwe.

Player	Team	Opponent	Balls faced	Year
Misbah-ul-Haq	Pakistan	Australia	21	2014
David Warner	Australia	Griqualand West	23	2017
Jacques Kallis	South Africa	Essex	24	2005
Shane Shillingford	West Indies	New Zealand	25	2014
Shahid Afridi	Pakistan	India	26	2005

Rishabh Pant holds the record for India with a 28-ball fifty against Sri Lanka in 2022.

Fastest fifty in List A cricket

Kaushalya Weeraratne is credited as the player to score the fastest fifty in List A cricket, with his 12-ball effort coming in a List A game for Ragama Cricket Club against Kurunegala Youth Cricket Club in the 2005 Premier Limited Over Tournament.

The Sri Lankan all-rounder remained unbeaten on 66 runs off 18 balls as his knock, which included two fours and eight sixes, propelled Ragama to 219/5. The match eventually finished without a result.

Player	Team	Opponent	Balls faced	Year
Kaushalya Weeraratne	Ragama Cricket Club	Kurunegala Youth Cricket Club	12	2005
Thisara Perera	Sri Lanka Army Sports Club	Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club	13	2021
Rory Kleinveldt	Western Province	KwaZulu-Natal	14	2011
Adam Hollioake	Surrey	Yorkshire	15	1994
Salman Butt	National Bank of Pakistan	Lahore Eagles	15	2005

Baroda’s Atit Sheth hit the fastest fifty in List A cricket during the 2020-21 Vijay Hazare Trophy Elite Group A match against Chhattisgarh. The then-25-year-old hit seven maximums in his blitzkrieg to drive Baroda to a match-winning score of 332/6.

Fastest fifty in ODIs

AB de Villiers holds the record for the fastest fifty in ODIs. The legendary South African batter took just 16 balls to reach his fifty in a 2015 ODI against West Indies and finished his innings with a 44-ball 149 at a rate of 338.63.

Player	Team	Opponent	Balls faced	Year
AB de Villiers	South Africa	West Indies	16	2015
Sanath Jayasuriya	Sri Lanka	Pakistan	17	1996
Kusal Perera	Sri Lanka	Pakistan	17	2015
Martin Guptill	New Zealand	Sri Lanka	17	2015
Liam Livingstone	England	Netherlands	17	2022

Ajit Agarkar hit the fastest fifty in ODIs for the Indian cricket team in 2000. His 21-ball fifty helped India beat Zimbabwe by 39 runs.

Fastest fifty in T20 cricket

As mentioned earlier, the fastest fifty in cricket history record belongs to Nepal's Dipendra Singh Airee after he hit a nine-ball half-century against Mongolia in the 2023 Asian Games to set up a 273-run win for his country.

Meanwhile, amongst the many accolades in his career, Yuvraj Singh is fondly remembered as the player with the third fastest fifty in T20 cricket.

The knock came against England in the 2007 T20 World Cup. Yuvraj smashed three fours and seven sixes in his 16-ball 58, and six of those came off a Stuart Broad over. This made the flamboyant Indian all-rounder the second player in international cricket and the fourth in cricket history to slam six sixes in an over.

Player	Team	Opponent	Balls faced	Year
Dipendra Singh Airee	Nepal	Mongolia	9	2023
Ashutosh Sharma	Railways	Arunachal Pradesh	11	2023
Yuvraj Singh	India	England	12	2007
Chris Gayle	Melbourne Renegades	Adelaide Strikers	12	2016
Hazratullah Zazai	Kabul Zwanan	Balkh Legends	12	2018
Marcus Trescothick	Somerset	Hampshire	13	2010

Yuvraj Singh’s feat, which is a record in the international format, would be matched by Chris Gayle (2016) and Hazratullah Zazai (2018) in 20-over franchise cricket.

While Gayle’s 12-ball fifty came in a Melbourne Renegades vs Adelaide Strikers match in the 2016 Big Bash League, Zazai achieved the feat in a 2018 Afghanistan Premier League match between Kabul Zwanan and Balkh Legends.

Featured photo: AFP / ALEXANDER JOE

Hitting sixes is the quickest way to score runs in cricket and there are some players who have a penchant for plundering the ball to record distances.

While just smacking the ball directly outside the boundary line is considered a six, there have been numerous instances where players utilise all their muscles to send the ball deep into the stands or sometimes outside the stadium.

Here, we look at the biggest sixes in cricket history.

Longest six in cricket history

No.	Player	Team	Opponent	Distance (metres)	Year
1	Shahid Afridi	Pakistan	South Africa	153m	2013
2	Brett Lee	Australia	England	130-135m	2005
3	Martin Guptill	New Zealand	South Africa	127m	2012
4	Liam Livingstone	England	Pakistan	122m	2021
5	Corey Anderson	New Zealand	India	122m	2014
6	Mark Waugh	Australia	New Zealand	120m	1999
7	Yuvraj Singh	India	Australia	119m	2007Â
8	MS Dhoni	India	New Zealand	118m	2009
9	Shahid Afridi	Pakistan	Australia	118m	2005
10	Chris Gayle	West Indies	India	116m	2010

Shahid Afridi - 153m | Pakistan vs South Africa, 2021

Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi unofficially holds the record for the longest six in cricket history when he cleared 153 metres against South Africa in the third ODI at Johannesburg on March 17, 2013.

The biggest six in cricket came in the fourth ball of the 35th over. Shahid Afridi had already hit Ryan McLaren for 12 runs in four deliveries. With the pressure mounting, McLaren gave away two extra runs before conceding the six. 

McLaren gifted Afridi a length ball, and the former Pakistan captain smashed it over the roof and out of the stadium. Afridi, who once held the record for the fastest ODI century, scored 88 off just 48 balls, chasing a mammoth 344 set by the South Africa cricket team. But Pakistan lost the match by 34 runs.

Years later, however, the six was recorded in the ICC books at 120 metres.

Brett Lee - 130-135m | Australia vs West Indies, 2005

The official record for the longest six in cricket history belongs to Australia’s Brett Lee, who crossed the rope by some 130-135 meters. This came against the West Indies in 2005 in a Test match at the Gabba. Facing Daren Powell, Brett Lee sent the ball over the roof of the stands and into the practice nets outside the stadium. It is said that the ball travelled nearly 135 meters.

"It just felt pretty good... I almost got cleaned up with the other bullet and it missed my throat by a centimetre. If the ball’s there to hit, and they keep bowling short and then you try to have a crack at one, it just came off the middle," Brett Lee said after the match.

Brett Lee scored 47 off 82 as Australia won the match by 379 runs.

Martin Guptill - 127m | New Zealand vs South Africa, 2012

In 2012, New Zealand’s Martin Guptill smashed South Africa’s Lonwabo Tsotsobe for a six that travelled 127 metres over the midwicket boundary. Chasing 148 runs, opener Martin Guptill took on the bowlers from the get-go.

In the sixth over, Guptill hit Tsotsobe for 102m before sending it even further to 127m on the penultimate delivery. The ball hit the roof of the stand of the Westpac Stadium in Wellington and rolled back onto the ground. The Kiwi batter ended with an unbeaten 78 off 55 to guide New Zealand to a six-wicket win.

Liam Livingstone - 122m | England vs Pakistan, 2021

England's Liam Livingstone smashed Pakistan's Haris Rauf for a massive 122-metre six during the second T20I at Headingley in 2021. Well known for his power-hitting, Liam Livingstone smacked the first ball of the 16th over straight above Haris Rauf's head to clear the roof and land on a rugby pitch near the stadium. The batter's brisk 38 helped England put 200 on the board, which proved enough in the end as England won the match by 45 runs.

Biggest six ever?! @LeedsRhinos, can we have our ball back?

Scorecard/clips: http://t.co/QjGshV4LMM

#ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/bGnjL8DxCx

�England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 18, 2021

Corey Anderson - 122m | New Zealand vs India, 2014

During the first ODI between New Zealand and India at Napier in 2014, Kiwi batter Corey Anderson smashed India's Mohammed Shami to a 122m six in the 44th over. Corey Anderson hit the ball over the square leg boundary to land the ball on the roof of the stadium.

Corey Anderson made 68 not-out to take New Zealand to 292/7 in 50 overs and take home the Player of the Match award. India could only muster up 268.

Mark Waugh - 120m | Australia vs Pakitan, 1999

Mark Waugh held the record for the longest six in cricket history for a long time. The Australian had cleared the rope by 120 metres in a Test match against New Zealand at Perth in 1999. Mark Waugh hit Daniel Vettori straight down the ground for a monstrous six to etch his name in the record books.

Longest six in domestic cricket

Playing for Victorian Bushrangers at the WACA in a T20 final in 2008, Aiden Blizzard hit the ball with such power that the ball glided over the square leg boundary and travelled 130 meters. This is the biggest six hit in the domestic cricket circuit.

Also that year, Albie Morkel, playing for Chennai in the Indian T20 League, hit spinner Pragyan Ojha over the mid-wicket region for a huge six that travelled 124 metres and outside the Chepauk stadium.

In the 2011 edition of the Indian T20 League, Australian opener Adam Gilchrist, playing for Punjab hit former South African seamer Charl Langeveldt for a six that crossed the rope by 122 metres in Dharamshala.

Victor Trumper, an Australian cricketer who played for his national team in 48 Tests, was batting for Paddington in a club match in 1903 and hit the ball with such a brute that it not only crossed the distance of around 120�25 meters, but it also broke a second-storey window across the street.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Asif Hassan

The Dubai International Cricket Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Established in 2009, the Dubai International Cricket Stadium is UAE’s biggest cricket stadium and has a seating capacity of 25,000.

Built by Canadian architect Awsam Matloob, the Dubai International Cricket Stadium staged its first One-Day International (ODI) between Australia and Pakistan in April 2009. Pakistan won the match by four wickets.

Formerly known as the Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium, the venue later hosted its first T20 international played between Australia and Pakistan. Led by Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan secured a seven-wicket victory.

In 2010, the stadium staged its first Test match as Pakistan and South Africa clashed. The match later ended in a draw.

Apart from T20 internationals, the Indian T20 League, Pakistan Super League, International League T20 League and various other T20 leagues have been held at this venue.

Let’s have a look at Dubai International Cricket Stadium T20 records and stats:

Dubai International Cricket Stadium T20 records and stats

Highest team total

Team Hyderabad holds the record for the highest team total at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in T20 cricket. During an Indian T20 League match in 2020, the David Warner-led Hyderabad posted 219/2 in their 20 overs. Warner’s 66 off 34 balls and Wriddhiman Saha’s 45-ball 87 powered Hyderabad to a record T20 total at the venue. Hyderabad later bowled out Team Delhi for 131 in 19 overs to register a comprehensive 88-run victory in Dubai.

Lowest team total

The West Indies cricket team registered the lowest team total at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in T20s. West Indies were skittled out for 55 in 14.2 overs by England during an ICC Men's T20 World Cup clash in 2021. Star leg-spinner Adil Rashid scalped four wickets while Moeen Ali and Tymal Mills picked two wickets each to help England bowl out West Indies for an embarrassing total. England later chased down the target in just 8.2 overs to win the game by six wickets.

Most runs

Pakistan star batter Babar Azam has scored the most runs at the venue in T20 cricket. While representing the likes of Islamabad United, Pakistan, Pakistan A, and Karachi Kings between 2015 and 2022, the swashbuckling right-handed batter has accumulated 1,102 runs in 35 matches at an average of 33.39 and a strike rate of 113.60. Azam has slammed 10 fifties in the T20 format at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. India’s KL Rahul features second on the list with 863 runs in 21 matches.

Most wickets

Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi scalped the most wickets at this cricket ground in cricket’s shortest format while representing teams like Karachi Kings, Multan Sultans, Pakistan and Peshawar Zalmi. The leg-spinner bagged 39 wickets in 39 matches at an average of 22.94 and an economy of 6.53 between 2009 and 2019. Afridi’s best T20 bowling figures at this venue is 3/14. His former teammate Sohali Tanvir is second on the list with 39 wickets in 34 matches.  

Highest individual score

KL Rahul holds the record for the highest individual score at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in T20 cricket. Playing for his former franchise Team Punjab, captain KL Rahul led from the front as he slammed an unbeaten 132 off just 69 balls to help his side post a huge total of 206/3 against Team Bangalore in an Indian T20 League encounter in 2020. Rahul’s magnificent knock included 14 fours and seven maximums. In reply, Bangalore were bundled out for 109 in 17 overs as Punjab won the game by 97 runs.

Best bowling figures

Former Pakistan fast bowler Umar Gul registered the best bowling figures at this venue in the cricket’s shortest format. During a Pakistan Super League clash in 2018, Umar Gul recorded figures of 6/24 in his quota of four overs for Multan Sultans. Defending 152, Gul dismissed Quetta Gladiators�Asad Shafiq, Shane Watson, Rilee Rossouw, captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, Anwar Ali and Mohammad Nawaz to bring the Sultans back in the game. Despite Gul’s incredible spell, the Gladiators won the match by two wickets.

Highest partnership

Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis hold the record for the highest partnership at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in T20 cricket. Representing Team Chennai, Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis forged a match-winning unbeaten 181-run stand for the opening wicket against Team Punjab during an Indian T20 League match in 2020. Chasing 179, Watson scored an unbeaten 83 off 53 balls while du Plessis smashed a 53-ball 87 not out to help Chennai chase down the target in 17.4 overs. Chennai thrashed Punjab by 10 wickets.

Photo credit: Alamy

The Dubai International Cricket Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Established in 2009, the Dubai International Cricket Stadium is the biggest cricket stadium in UAE and has a seating capacity of 25,000.

Built by Canadian architect Awsam Matloob, the Dubai International Cricket Stadium hosted its first One-Day International (ODI) between Australia and Pakistan in April 2009. Pakistan won the match by four wickets.

It was also one of the venues for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021, staging one semi-final and the final.

The venue has also been used for domestic T20 tournaments like the Pakistan Super League and the Indian T20 League,

The Dubai International Cricket Stadium has hosted around 50 ODIs so far. Let’s have a look at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium ODI records and stats:

Dubai International Cricket Stadium ODI records and stats

Highest team total

The England cricket team holds the record for the highest team total at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in ODI cricket. Electing to bat first, England posted 355/5 in their 50 overs against Pakistan in 2015. Jason Roy (102), Jos Buttler (116*) and Joe Root (71) powered England to a huge total in Dubai. The Eoin Morgan-led England later bowled Pakistan for 271 in 40.4 overs to register an 84-run victory. With the impressive win, England clinched the four-match ODI series 3-1.

Lowest team total

The Namibia national cricket team recorded the lowest team total at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the 50-over format. During an ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 match in February 2023, Namibia were bundled out for 91 against hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE). Ruben Trumpelmann top-scored for Namibia with 30 off 41 balls. For UAE, Zahoor Khan, Aayan Afzal Khan and Karthik Meiyappan bagged three wickets each. UAE later chased down the target on a tricky pitch in 33 overs and secured a nail-biting one-wicket win.

Most runs

Scotland cricketer Richie Berrington has scored the most runs at this venue in ODI format. Between 2015 and 2022, the right-handed batter has amassed 390 runs in eight matches at an average of 55.71. He has slammed one hundred and three fifties at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in ODI cricket. He smashed an unbeaten 114 off 127 against Papua New Guinea during their ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 clash in April 2022.

Most wickets

Legendary Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi picked the most wickets at this ground in ODI cricket. The leg-spinner scalped 25 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 23.72 and an economy of 4.60. He registered his best bowling figures of 6/38 at this venue against Australia in April 2009.

Highest individual score

Former Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim has recorded the highest individual score at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in ODI format. During an Asia Cup Group B clash in 2018, Mushfiqur Rahim scored 144 off 150 balls against Sri Lanka to guide his side to 261. The wicketkeeper-batter’s scintillating knock included 11 fours and four sixes. Bangladesh later bowled out Sri Lanka for 124 to register a massive 137-run victory in Dubai.

Best bowling figures

Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi has the best bowling figures at this venue in ODI cricket in April 2009. The former leg-spinner recorded brilliant figures of 6/38 to bowl out Australia for 168 in 38.5 overs. Afridi dismissed Brad Haddin, Shane Watson, Andrew Symonds, Callum Ferguson, Nathan Bracken and Stuart Clark to restrict Australia to a below par total. Pakistan won the match by four wickets and took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Highest partnership

India’s Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan hold the record for the highest partnership at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in ODI cricket. Chasing 238 against arch-rivals Pakistan in an Asia Cup 2018 Super Four clash, Rohit and Shikhar forged a 210-run stand for the opening wicket to help India inch closer to victory. While Shikhar scored 114, Rohit remained unbeaten on 111. India thrashed Pakistan by nine wickets in Dubai to secure a comfortable win.

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A finisher in cricket refers to a middle-order batter in limited-overs cricket who is responsible for finishing the inning in pressure situations.

In essence, finishers are expected to get their team over the line if they are batting in the second inning. If the finisher is batting in the first inning of a limited-overs game, he is expected to produce a strong finish and accelerate to help the team post a high score.

A few of the prerequisites for being a good finisher in cricket are being calm, maintaining one’s composure, and dealing with pressure situations with clarity of thought besides also being able to execute your shots to hit on the accelerator for your team.

Not all cricketers boast these qualities, which is why it is imperative for teams to correctly identify those individuals who are capable of delivering the goods when needed the most. With that in mind, here’s a closer look at some of the best finishers in cricket both past and present.

Best finishers in cricket

AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers, also known as Mr. 360 owing to his ability to smash a ball to every corner of the stadium, is perhaps the best finisher in the history of cricket. Over the course of his career, he has chased down innumerable targets for both his national team South Africa and numerous T20 league franchises. One of the few international players to have a 100-plus strike rate and an average of above 50 in ODIs, de Villiers�ability to consistently help his teams finish with momentum is unlikely to be matched by many going into the future. He also holds the record for scoring the fastest ODI hundred against West Indies after bringing up his ton in 31 balls.

MS Dhoni

One of the greatest finishers of all-time, India legend MS Dhoni revolutionised the art of closing an inning in limited-overs cricket with aplomb. A firm believer in taking an inning and match as deep as possible, MSD’s ability to win matches off the last over was second to none. Renowned for hitting sixes off the last ball of an inning, Dhoni’s finishing ability wasn’t just appreciated by Indian fans but also by Indian T20 League franchise Chennai, who he led to four Indian T20 League titles and two T20 Champions League trophies. His finishing exploits will probably be most fondly remembered for the 2011 ODI World Cup when he entered the crease with the game hanging firmly in the balance before producing an unbeaten 91 off 79 balls and smashing a six to win India their second 50-over World Cup.

Michael Bevan

A player who was ahead of his time, Michael Bevan can be considered one of the pioneers of finishing in limited-overs cricket even though he never played in T20Is. A lot of cricket fans believe that it was Bevan who was responsible for coining the term finisher. His ability to assess the situation in pressure circumstances and play according to the needs of his team before accelerating in the closing stages of the inning will remain long in the memory of cricket fans in the 1990s and early 2000s. He played a key role in the 1999 and 2003 ODI World Cup, and his average of 53.58 is the best among these finishes on this list.

Sir Vivian Richards

One of the first superstars in cricket history, Sir Vivian Richards amassed more than 15,000 international runs during his 18-year career. He averaged 47 and had a strike rate of 90.20 during an era when such numbers were unheard of. A belligerent batter who set fear in the hearts of bowlers thanks to his destructive style of batting, Sir Vivian Richards could do it all. Whether it was getting his teams off to quick starts or finishing the innings in style for his team, there simply wasn’t anything he could not do. 

Shahid Afridi

Former Pakistan all-rounder, Shahid Afridi was known for his explosive batting and aggression with the willow in his hand. He scored more than 8,000 runs in the 50-over format and had a stunning strike rate of 117. Despite starting his career as a top-order batter, Boom Boom Afridi as he was fondly known during his playing days smoothly transitioned into an exquisite finisher toward the fag end of his career. A great six-hitter, there aren’t many players in the game who have hit more sixes than Afridi in international cricket.

Jos Buttler

The only active player on this list, England’s Jos Buttler is your archetypal modern-day finisher. He has a strike rate of almost 120 in ODIs and almost 150 in T20Is. Although he’s a versatile player who is known to open the innings in T20Is, Buttler primarily dons the role of finisher in ODIs. Another monster six-hitter, Buttler is capable of accessing all areas of the ground like de Villiers courtesy of his great strokeplay. With many more years of cricket still ahead of him, Buttler could finish as the greatest finisher of all-time in cricket.

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Even though cricket is widely regarded as a gentlemen’s game, tempers can boil over on the field in the heat of the moment as competing teams and players look to seek an advantage over their opponent by any means necessary.

While all players do get involved in on-field banter, spats, and altercations against opponents from time to time, some players are seen in heated exchanges more often than others.

Over the years, cricket has had its fair share of bad boys and its tag of being a gentlemen’s game has diminished as a result over time.

In recent times, one such player who has made a name for himself for his aggressive demeanour and brash behaviour on the field against opponents is Afghanistan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq.

He made the headlines for all the wrong reasons during Indian T20 League 2023 after being involved in an on-field confrontation with Indian stalwart and the new God of Cricket, Virat Kohli.

However, it wasn’t the first time that Naveen-ul-Haq was involved in on-field confrontations against other players and with that in mind, here’s a look at some of Naveen-ul-Haq’s fights on a cricket field.

Naveen-ul-Haq’s fights on a cricket field

Naveen-ul-Haq vs Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Amir, Lanka Premier League 2020

In the inaugural season of Lanka Premier League (LPL) in 2020, the Afghanistan pacer found himself in the middle of an altercation while representing Kandy Tuskers�Naveen-ul-Haq was involved in a heated exchange of words against Galle Gladiators�pacer Mohammad Amir. While it is unclear why the argument began, the two players were seen hurling abuses at each other while other players on the field tried to diffuse the situation. After the match during the post-match handshakes, tempers flared again but this time between Naveen and Shahid Afridi as both players were seen having a go at each other in an animated fashion.

After the match, Afridi took to social media and tweeted, “My advise to the young player was simple, play the game and don’t indulge in abusive talk. I have friends in the Afghanistan team and we have very cordial relations. Respect for teammates and opponents is the basic spirit of the game."

Naveen also responded to Afridi online by tweeting, “Always ready to take advice and give respect, Cricket is a gentleman’s game but if someone says you all are under our feet and will stay their (sic) then he is not only talking about me but also talking abt my ppl.�/span>

Naveen-ul-Haq vs Thisara Perera, Lanka Premier League 2021

Naveen’s second clash on a cricketing field also came in the Lanka Premier League but this time it was against Sri Lanka’s Thisara Perera. The two players clashed because Naveen could be seen coming in the way of Thisara Perera while the Sri Lankan attempted to complete a run. Needless to say, Thisara was not impressed by Naveen’s actions and decided to let his feelings be known to the Afghan bowler, which led to a verbal spat between the two. Eventually, it was the umpires who had to intervene and calm the situation down as neither Naveen nor Thisara were willing to back down.

Naveen-ul-Haq vs D’Arcy Short, Big Bash League 2022-23

Similar to the incident against Thisara Perera, Sydney Sixers�Naveen-ul-Haq looked like he was trying to block Hobart Hurricanes�D’Arcy Short in a 2022-23 Big Bash League game. Just as D’Arcy Short looked to complete a quick single, Naveen-ul-Haq seemed to move toward the Australian’s path and was subsequently barged to the ground as the batter looked to complete his run. While the Afghan wasn’t pleased about the incident, things flare up and were handled in a calm manner. 

Naveen-ul-Haq vs Virat Kohli, Indian T20 League 2023

The Afghan pacer’s most recent on-field altercation is arguably his most high-profile one yet as it came against Virat Kohli in Indian T20 League 2023. During the break between the 16th and 17th over of Team Bangalore’s away match against Team Lucknow, Virat Kohli and Naveen were seen exchanging verbal bombs with one another. The argument began escalating quickly, prompting Indian veteran spinner Amit Mishra to intervene and mediate. However, Amit Mishra too lost his cool and ended up arguing with Virat Kohli as the incident continued to simmer.

After the game during the post-match handshakes, Naveen told Virat Kohli a few words during an awkward handshake, which rekindled the fight and tension between the two. Shortly after, Team Lucknow’s mentor Gautam Gambhir also entered the pitch and what followed was yet another heated exchange between the two Indian cricketers who were difficult to separate. 

Photo credit: Alamy