Most runs in an over in International T20

The Twenty 20 format has drastically transformed the game of cricket. The shortest format has given rise to numerous innovations, including daring shots, fresh bowling strategies, and bulky bats. A few balls, or in this case an over can change the outcome of the game, and even a losing team can go on to win at the last moment.

On that note, let us have a look at batters who have scored most runs off a single over:

1. Yuvraj Singh (2007) and Kieron Pollard (2021)- 36 runs

Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh achieved the feat during the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. After a heated verbal argument with Andrew Flintoff, the left-hander lashed out at Stuart Broad with six sixes, two of which found the Durban Kingsmead stadium’s exterior. He set a record by scoring 36 runs in an over, which is currently the most in T20I history.

Kieron Pollard equalled Yuvraj Singh’s record in 2021 during a match Sri Lanka at Coolidge. The then skipper of the Caribbean side, Pollard went on a hitting spree against Sri Lankan spinner Akila Dananjaya. The Sri Lankan has claimed a hat-trick in his previous over, but Pollard wreaked havoc and ended his celebrations as the West Indies went from 62/4 to 98/4 in just six balls.

2. Tim Siefert, Ross Taylor (2020) and Ryan Burl (2022)- 34 runs

While attempting to chase down a target of 164 against India at Mount Maunganui, New Zealand was in trouble at 17/3 when wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert and veteran middle-order batter Ross Taylor took on rookie Shivam Dube and hit him for 34 runs in an over. The result of the destructive over was that Dube was not given a second over in the game as the duo sent a strong yet scary message to the Indian dugout.

Ryan Burl became the latest player to join the elite list of batters. The middle-order batter, while playing for Zimbabwe against Bangladesh in the series decider third T20I in Harare, smacked Nasum Ahmed for five sixes and a four in the over to take the tally to 34 runs. His destructive batting helped him bag a half-century, and post a good total that his side later defended to win the historic series.

3. Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali (2022)- 33 runs

The Englishmen recently entered the elite list during their T20I match against South Africa. In the 17th over of the game, the two stormed through the strong South African bowling lineup and smashed Andile Phehlukwayo for 33 runs in the over. Both Bairstow and Moeen Ali wreaked havoc as England won the game by a big margin of 41 runs.