Nepal’s star batsman Dipendra Singh Airee etched his name in cricketing history on Saturday, becoming only the third player to achieve the rare feat of hitting six sixes in an over in an international T20 match. Airee accomplished this remarkable milestone during Nepal’s ACC Men’s Premier Cup match against Qatar in Al Amerat.
The 24-year-old big-hitter entered the record books alongside cricketing legends Yuvraj Singh and Kieron Pollard, who were the only two players to have previously achieved this feat in international T20 cricket. In ODI cricket, the feat has been achieved by South Africa’s Herschelle Gibbs and USA’s Jaskaran Malhotra.
Stepping in to bat in the final over of Nepal’s innings, Airee was already in a destructive mood, having scored 28 runs off 15 deliveries. With Nepal at 174/7, the stage was set for a grand finale, and Airee did not disappoint.
Facing Qatari medium-pacer Kamran Khan, Airee unleashed a jaw-dropping onslaught, smashing six consecutive sixes to finish with a blistering 64 off just 21 balls. His incredible hitting propelled Nepal to a formidable total of 210/7, which ultimately proved too much for Qatar, as they succumbed to a 32-run defeat.
Airee’s all-round brilliance was further highlighted as he also claimed two wickets during Qatar’s chase, cementing his status as a true match-winner.
Airee’s feat of hitting six sixes in an over places him alongside two of the most renowned names in the history of T20 cricket. Yuvraj Singh was the first to achieve this remarkable milestone, famously hitting Stuart Broad for six consecutive maximums during the 2007 T20 World Cup in Durban.
More recently, in 2021, West Indian batting sensation Kieron Pollard replicated the feat against Sri Lankan spinner Akila Dananjaya in Coolidge.
Airee’s entry into this elite club is a testament to his exceptional talent and big-hitting prowess, which has made him a key player for the Nepali national team.
While Saturday’s achievement was undoubtedly Airee’s most significant, it was not the first time he had displayed his ability to clear the boundary at will. In September 2023, during the Asian Games in Hangzhou, Airee achieved a remarkable feat against Mongolia.
In that match, Airee smashed six consecutive sixes, though they were spread across two overs. The first five came off the final five deliveries of one over from Mungun Altankhuyag, and Airee completed the set with the first ball he faced in the next over from Luvsanzundui Erdenebulgan.
Airee’s blistering innings of 52 not out off just 10 balls propelled Nepal to a mammoth total of 314/3, which remains the highest team total in a T20I match to date. Remarkably, Airee’s 52 also set a new record for the fastest-ever T20I fifty, achieving the milestone in just nine balls, surpassing the previous mark of 12 balls held by Yuvraj Singh, Chris Gayle, and Hazratullah Zazai.
Significance for Nepali Cricket
Airee’s achievements are not only a personal milestone but also a significant moment for Nepali cricket. As an emerging cricketing nation, Nepal has been steadily making its mark on the international stage, and players like Airee are playing a crucial role in this progress.
His exploits have brought immense pride and joy to the Nepali cricketing community, inspiring a new generation of young cricketers to dream big and strive for excellence.
With his consistent performances and record-breaking feats, Airee has established himself as one of the most exciting and destructive batsmen in the T20 format. His ability to clear the boundary with ease and his penchant for jaw-dropping innings have made him a fan favorite and a player to watch out for in international cricket.
As Nepal continues its cricketing journey, Airee’s achievements will undoubtedly serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for his teammates and the entire nation. His name will forever be etched in cricketing history, and his six sixes in an over will be remembered as a moment of sheer brilliance and unbridled power hitting.
