In an extraordinary turn of events, the T20 World Cup Sub Regional East Asia-Pacific Qualifier A has seen a groundbreaking record-setting performance on Tuesday. In a match between Samoa and Vanuatu, 39 runs were astonishingly scored in a single over, shattering the previous record for the most runs in a T20 International (T20I) over.
The notable contributions came from Samoa’s batter, Darius Visser, who showcased an awe-inspiring display of batting prowess by hitting six sixes in an over against Vanuatu’s bowler Nalin Nipiko. The remarkable occurrence was augmented by the fact that Nipiko delivered three no-balls during the over, catapulting the total runs in the over to an unprecedented 39.
This phenomenal feat completely eclipses the 36-run records previously held by cricket luminaries such as Yuvraj Singh, Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran, Dipendra Singh Airee, and the duo of Rohit Sharma and Rinku Singh. Yuvraj Singh first set the benchmark score during the 2007 T20 World Cup, where he famously hit six consecutive sixes off an over bowled by England’s Stuart Broad. Kieron Pollard later equaled the record with his six-six barrage against Sri Lankan spinner Akila Dananjaya in 2021.
In more recent T20I history, Rohit Sharma and Rinku Singh jointly managed to pump 35 runs before an extra pushed it to 36 off Karim Janat in a T20I in January 2024. Nepalese cricketer Dipendra Singh Airee met the mark again with an explosive over bowled by Kamran Khan of Qatar in April 2024. The latest recollection before the Samoa-Vanuatu match belonged to West Indian Nicholas Pooran, who managed 26 runs alongside 10 extras off Azmatullah Omarzai in a T20I this past June.
Returning to the landmark Samoa vs. Vanuatu game, Darius Visser’s heroic achievement came over nine deliveries, including three that were called no-balls. Visser started the over by hitting three sixes off the first three legitimate deliveries.
. The subsequent ball was a no-ball from which no runs were scored off the bat, but it still brought the tally to 19 runs from four legal deliveries. On the subsequent legal ball, Visser secured another six, and although he did not score on the fifth legitimate ball, he remained unshaken.
The extraordinary drama continued as Nipiko bowled two more no-balls; the first went for an additional six, while the final legal delivery was again sent soaring over the boundary by Visser for his sixth six. Though Nipiko’s no-ball extras did not go into Visser’s personal batting total, they were nonetheless added to the team’s tally, registering a total of 39 runs for the over.
Given the structure of the cricket’s scoring system, Visser’s personal achievement accounts for the 36 runs he garnered from the over. However, the three extra runs resulting from the no-balls uplifted the over’s aggregate runs to 39, marking an all-time high in T20I history.
This highly significant event adds yet another thrilling chapter to the annals of T20I cricket, demonstrating that records are continually meant to be challenged and redefined. The Samoa vs. Vanuatu match will now be forever etched into the sport’s history, emphasizing the dynamism and unpredictability that keeps cricket lovers on the edge of their seats.
Samoa’s Darius Visser has not just accomplished personal glory but has significantly raised the profile of his team on the international stage. While cricket fans and analysts examine and celebrate this unprecedented record, it emphasizes how modern cricket remains an ever-evolving sport, capable of producing moments of breathtaking excitement and memorable historical feats.
As we look back at this iconic game, it’s crucial to acknowledge the rapid transformations within the shorter formats of the game and how they drastically enhance entertainment value. This new record in the T20 World Cup East Asia-Pacific Qualifier is a testament to cricket’s growing unpredictability and sheer spectacle that continues to enthrall fans worldwide.
