The second match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 was played between West Indies and Pakistan on Friday (May 31, 2019). In this game, West Indies defeated Pakistan in a one-sided affair. After scuttling out the Pakistan side for just 105 runs, Chris Gayle’s quickfire half-century helped West Indies bag the game by 7 wickets.
Gayle played a blistering knock of a 34 ball 50. In the process, Gayle hit six fours and three massive sixes. With this, the self-proclaimed Universe Boss now has the record for the most number of sixes in the World Cup History.
Here is the list of 5 batsmen with most sixes in the World Cup history:
Chris Gayle- 40 sixes
The left-handed swashbuckling Caribbean opener is playing his last World Cup. Known for his big hitting and aggressive style of play, Gayle was in T20 mode against Pakistan even though the target set for them by the opposition was a paltry 106. His 3 sixes meant he surpassed AB de Villiers in the list for hitting the most number of sixes in the World Cup history.
Gayle now has 40 sixes against his name in the World Cup Cricket and he is not yet done. No current player participating in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, apart from Gayle himself, is in the top 10 for this record.
AB de Villiers- 37 sixes
The second name on this illustrious list is that of Mr 360- AB de Villiers. South Africa’s former captain and one of Cricket’s most complete batsman ever, de Villiers has a remarkable 37 sixes against his name in the World Cup tournaments. However, de Villiers’s sudden retirement from the International Cricket will mean that fans will no longer be able to see his batting on the World Cup Stage.
Ricky Ponting- 31 sixes
Captain of the Australian team that lifted the World Cup in 2003 and 2007, Ricky Ponting is No 3 on the list. Ponting was one of the most stylish batsmen of his generation and has a total of 31 sixes in the World Cup to his credit. His century against India in the 2003 World Cup Finals laid the foundation for a comprehensive victory over India, one that shattered the hopes of a billion Indian fans.
Brendon McCullum- 29 sixes
New Zealand’s former right-handed batsman Brendon McCullum was no less stylish and aggressive than any other batsman on this list. Brendon has hit as many as 29 sixes in the World Cup history. It was under Brendon’s charged up leadership that New Zealand found its way to the finals for the first time in history. However, the Kiwis lost to the Aussies in the title clash by 7 wickets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Herschelle Gibbs- 28 sixes
South Africa’s former batsman Herschelle Gibbs also features on this list. Gibbs has a record 28 sixes to his credit in the World Cup history. This also includes the six sixes in an over that Gibbs scored against the Netherlands in the 2007 edition of the Cricket World Cup.