Ireland cricketer Kevin O’Brien has created a new record in T20I history. The right-handed batsman has hit a joint-most number of T20I sixes in a calendar year.
While Ireland are currently busy in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2019, the 35-year-old Kevin O’Brien created this special record on Monday (21st October) during the Group B game against Oman.
Coming to bat as an opener after winning the toss, Kevin provided a good start for the team. The right-handed batsman scored 41 runs off 28 balls with the help of four fours and only six. With that only sixer, Kevin has stretched his 2019 T20I sixes to 35.
Kevin O’Brien equals the record of Colin Munro – 35 T20I sixes in a calendar year
In 2018, New Zealand cricketer Colin Munro created a new record by hitting 35 T20I sixes in that year. On Monday, Kevin has registered his name on the joint top position of the table of most T20I sixes in a calendar year. However, Kevin has a good chance to surpass Colin Munro during the ongoing Qualifier tournament.
Ireland will play their next game in this tournament on 23rd October against Canada.
Coming back to the game between Ireland and Oman, Ireland scored 183/3 in 20 overs. The no.3 batsman Gareth Delany remained not out on 89 runs off 49 balls (9 fours and 3 sixes). Kevin was the second most run-scorer for Ireland in that game.
In reply, Oman managed to score only 148/9 (20 overs) as Ireland won that match by 35 runs. Only the opener Khawar Ali reached the 20-run mark in that innings as he scored 50 runs off 34 balls. In that knock, he hit four fours and three sixes.
Among the Irish bowlers, Mark Adair (2/26), Gareth Delany (2/29) and George Dockrell (2/24) all picked up two wickets each.
After playing their first three matches of this tournament, Ireland have earned four points. They have won twice and lost once in this tournament.