Cricket is one of the most unpredictable sports. The result of the match can never be predicted until the last ball is bowled. Plenty of incidents can unfold even on the last delivery that could change the match in favour of either of the two opponent. While batters desire of hitting the last-ball six as a winning shot, it is one of the most heartbreaking moment for any bowler.
Here, we take a look at Top-7 batsman who hit a last-ball six to seal the victory for their team:
1. Javed Miandad vs India, 1986:
Javed Miandad’s last-ball six against India in Sharjah,1986 is one of the most dreadful memories for most of the Indian fans. Chetan Sharma, who achieved greater heights in his international career as an Indian pacer, is always remembered for his unpopular feat against Pakistan. The ‘Men in Green’ required four runs off last delivery when Miandad hit Sharma for a six over deep mid-wicket to record a Pakistan win in the Asia Cup final against the arch-rivals.
2. Lance Klusener vs New Zealand, 1999:
South Africa’s prolific all-rounder, Lance Klusener was a constant for the Proteas while finishing ODI matches during the late 90s. In an encounter against New Zealand at Napier, Klusener struck a last-ball six to seal the victory for SA while they required four runs to win off the last ball. Dion Nash was the bowler at the receiving end who didn’t witness a prolonged playing career for the Kiwis.
3. Brendon Taylor vs Bangladesh, 2006:
In Harare in 2006, Former Zimbabwean skipper Brendon Taylor managed to pull off an amazing win for his team against Bangladesh with a last-ball six. Requiring five runs for the victory, Taylor walloped Mashrafe Mortaza for a huge hit to chase down the target of 237 runs on the last delivery. It was indeed an eventful ODI, especially for the home team.
4. Shivnarine Chanderpaul vs Sri Lanka, 2008:
Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who was known for his low batting strike rate, once managed to hit a six off the last delivery to script a Windies win against Sri Lanka. In Port of Spain in 2008, the home team needed six runs to win off the ultimate ball when Chanderpaul hit Chaminda Vaas over the boundary fence to help his team claim a win off the last ball of the match.
5. Ed Rainsford vs Ireland, 2010:
Zimbabwe’s lower-order batsman, Ed Rainsford once secured a last-ball win for Zimbabwe against Ireland in 2010. At Harare, Rainsford thumped Ireland all-rounder Kevin O Brien for a six to complete the match proceedings. However, the home team only needed a run to win off the last delivery when Rainford did the needful by hitting a six.
6. Ryan McLaren vs New Zealand, 2013:
In another encounter between South Africa and New Zealand in 2013, former Proteas’ all-rounder Ryan McLaren, saw himself in the history books with the bat in hand. McLaren helped his team to victory with a six off the last delivery against James Franklin in 2013. South Africa need only three runs when McLaren swung his bat to fetch half a dozen runs.
7. Nathan McCullum vs Sri Lanka, 2013:
Former Kiwi all-rounder, Nathan McCullum once smoked a last-ball six against Sri Lanka to script an emphatic win for his team. In Hambantota in 2013, McCullum took the attack against Rangana Herath and deposited his last delivery into the stands to secure exactly six runs for his team. The visitors need five runs to win when the elder of the McCullum brothers sealed the victory with a last-ball six.
