In a momentous turn of events at the T20 World Cup Sub Regional East Asia-Pacific Qualifier A, cricket history was rewritten on Tuesday as Samoa’s match against Vanuatu shattered the long-held record for the most runs scored in a T20 International (T20I) over. In an electrifying display of talent and sheer power hitting, Samoa batter Darius Visser accomplished the feat by scoring an unthinkable 39 runs in a single over.
This over, which has now immortalized Darius Visser in the annals of cricket history, saw Vanuatu bowler Nalin Nipiko bear the brunt of Visser’s assault. During the over, Nipiko delivered three no-balls, which contributed significantly to the ultimate tally of 39 runs. The spectators were left in awe as Visser hammered six sixes off Nipiko’s over, marking a new international record by surpassing the previous mark of 36 runs in an over.
The 36-run record was jointly held by some of cricket’s greatest figures—Yuvraj Singh, Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran, Dipendra Singh Airee, and the strike duo of Rohit Sharma and Rinku Singh. Yuvraj Singh’s iconic six sixes came in the 2007 T20 World Cup against England’s Stuart Broad, a feat many thought would never be surpassed. Similarly, Kieron Pollard repeated this remarkable display of batting prowess against Sri Lanka’s Akila Dananjaya in 2021.
The cricketing world has witnessed several attempts to break this record over the years. Earlier in January 2024, the combination of Rohit Sharma and Rinku Singh managed to score 35 runs off Afghanistan’s Karim Janat, benefiting from an additional run to equal the 36-run benchmark. In April 2024, Nepal’s Dipendra Singh Airee joined the elite club by hitting six sixes off Qatar’s Kamran Khan. More recently, in June 2024, Nicholas Pooran from the West Indies got very close by smashing 26 runs alongside 10 extras off Azmatullah Omarzai in a T20I.
However, the 39-run spectacle in the match between Samoa and Vanuatu eclipses all these previous records.
. Visser’s outstanding ability to clear the ropes was on full display as he achieved this milestone under extreme pressure and competitive circumstances. On legal deliveries, Visser managed to score 36 runs; however, the extra 3 runs from no-balls pushed the total to a staggering 39.
To recount the historic over: Visser began with three consecutive sixes off the first three deliveries. Nipiko, struggling with his line and length, bowled a no-ball on the following delivery, which did not yield any runs off the bat. The pressure continued to build as Visser smacked another six on the fourth legal delivery. Then came a dot ball, offering a brief respite, but it was too late to mitigate the damage. The bowler succumbed further under pressure, delivering another pair of no-balls, one of which was dispatched for a six, before the final legal delivery was sent flying for another maximum.
Remarkably, while the over total reached 39 runs, Visser himself didn’t receive credit for the three no-ball runs, resulting in his personal tally remaining at 36 runs in that particular over. Nonetheless, the collective total shook the cricketing community and forever etched Visser’s name in the record books.
This enthralling match between Samoa and Vanuatu will undoubtedly be remembered for years to come, not just for its historical significance, but also for the spectacle of cricketing prowess it displayed. As the cricket world continues to evolve, records are meant to be broken, but this new benchmark of 39 runs in an over is sure to stand the test of time, setting a new standard for future generations of cricketers to aspire to.
In summary, the T20 World Cup Sub Regional East Asia-Pacific Qualifier A has given cricket fans a reason to celebrate and reminisce. Darius Visser’s monumental achievement encapsulates the unpredictable and thrilling nature of T20 cricket, showcasing once again why the game continually captures the hearts and imaginations of millions around the globe.
