6,6,6,6,6,6: Kushal Bhurtel emulates Yuvraj Singh and Kieron Pollard with six sixes in an over
A Historic Performance in Singapore
In a breathtaking display of aggression and precision, Nepal’s Kushal Bhurtel etched his name into the annals of cricket history. During the Asian Games Men’s T20I Qualifier 2026, the right-handed opener delivered a performance that fans will talk about for decades. Facing off against China at the Singapore National Cricket Ground on Sunday, May 31, 2026, Bhurtel turned the ninth over of the innings into a personal highlight reel.
The Over That Changed Everything
China, having won the toss and elected to field, could hardly have anticipated the onslaught that followed. When bowler Chen Zhuo-yue stepped up to deliver the ninth over, he was met with unprecedented force. Bhurtel attacked from the first ball, finding the middle of his bat with rhythm and power. Each of the six legal deliveries vanished over the boundary rope, resulting in an astounding 36 runs off the over.
While China managed to bowl a wide on the final ball, the damage was already done. The sequence of six consecutive sixes propelled Bhurtel to 93 runs off just 31 deliveries, leaving the Chinese bowlers reeling and the spectators in awe.
Joining the Elite Ranks
By achieving this rare feat, Bhurtel has cemented his status as one of the most destructive hitters in contemporary cricket. He becomes only the sixth player in the history of men’s international cricket to smash six sixes in an over. He now joins an exclusive club that features legends of the game, including Herschelle Gibbs, Yuvraj Singh, Kieron Pollard, Jaskaran Malhotra, and his own teammate, Dipendra Singh Airee.
What makes this milestone particularly significant for Nepal is that it makes them the only nation to produce two players who have achieved this feat in international cricket. Dipendra Singh Airee previously set this benchmark against Qatar in 2024, highlighting the immense depth and fearless approach of the current Nepali batting lineup.
A Masterclass in T20I Batting
Bhurtel’s assault did not end with the six sixes. He continued his rampage, eventually reaching a century in just 35 balls—a speed that equals one of the fastest hundreds ever recorded by a Nepal batter. By the time his innings concluded, he had amassed 129 runs off a mere 43 deliveries, featuring a staggering 16 sixes and five fours. With a strike rate of 300.00, his performance was a masterclass in modern T20I batting.
The collective effort from the Nepal side was nothing short of extraordinary. With Kushal Malla contributing a brilliant unbeaten 85 off 47 balls and captain Rohit Paudel hammering an unbeaten 69 from only 21 deliveries, Nepal posted a monumental total of 313/2. For China, while Deng Jinquing and Ma Qiancheng managed a wicket each, the sheer momentum of Nepal’s batting lineup proved impossible to contain.
The Evolution of Nepal Cricket
This match served as a potent reminder of how quickly Nepal is climbing the ladder in the world of cricket. Their reputation for aggressive, positive, and fearless play has transitioned from potential to reality on the international stage. As the team continues to compete in the Asian Games qualifiers, performances like these demonstrate that they are a force to be reckoned with against any opposition.
Kushal Bhurtel’s historic day not only provided a thrilling spectacle for fans but also underscored the evolving nature of T20I cricket, where no bowling attack is safe and every over presents an opportunity for record-breaking brilliance. The cricket community will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on Nepal as they look to build on this momentum in the tournament’s subsequent stages.
