In the last group stage game of T20 World Cup 2024, Afghanistan bowlers were taken to the cleaners by co-hosts West Indies on a high-scoring Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia. Azmatullah Omarzai turned out to be most expensive as he conceded 36 runs in an over against West Indies’ wicketkeeper-batter Nicholas Pooran.
Omarzai equalled former England pacer Stuart Broad’s record for most runs conceded in an over in T20 World Cups. Broad achieved the record against India’s Yuvraj Singh who hit him for six consecutive sixes in the inaugural edition of T20 World Cup.
Omarzai’s forgettable over
Omarzai did not get hit for six sixes. He gave plenty runs via extras. On the first ball, Pooran hit him for a six via an outside edge that went over short third boundary. On the next ball, he overstepped and was hit for a four over mid-wicket. Under-pressure Omarzai erred again and bowled a short wide ball that went for five wides. On the free hit delivery, he was spot on and hit the stumps.
Omarzai followed it up with a delivery down the leg side. It went for a boundary off Pooran's pads. On the fourth ball, he was hit for a boundary over point. On the last two balls, Pooran hit him for consecutive sixes to make it a 36-run over.
Other instances of 36 runs scored in an over in T20Is
This is the fifth time 36 runs have been scored in an over in T20Is. Former West Indies captain Kieron Pollard smashed Sri Lanka's Akila Dananjaya for sixes sixes in 2021. Earlier this year, Rohit Sharma and Rinku Singh took on Karim Janat in Bengaluru. Jant's over included one run via extras. Then, Nepal's Dipendra Singh Airee hit Qatar's Kamran Khan for six consecutive sixes during record-breaking knock in Asian Games 2024.
Highest powerplay score in T20 World Cups
Pooran and Johnson Charles shared a 50-run partnership from just 14 balls. They used the fielding restrictions well against Afghanistan. West Indies were 92/1 after powerplay overs. This is the highest score in powerplay overs in T20 World Cups.
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