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6,6,6,6,6,6: Kushal Bhurtel emulates Yuvraj Singh and Kieron Pollard with six sixes in an over

kushal bhurtel

A Historic Display of Power-Hitting

In a world of T20 cricket where records are meant to be broken, Nepal opener Kushal Bhurtel has etched his name into the history books with a performance that will be talked about for years to come. During the Asian Games Men’s T20I Qualifier 2026, 6,6,6,6,6,6: Kushal Bhurtel emulates Yuvraj Singh and Kieron Pollard with six sixes in an over, showcasing the brutal efficiency that has become a hallmark of the rising Himalayan nation.

The Over That Changed Everything

The scene was set at the Singapore National Cricket Ground on Sunday, May 31, 2026. As Nepal faced off against China in their opening Group A encounter, the match took an extraordinary turn in the ninth over. China had won the toss and elected to field, a decision they would soon regret as Bhurtel found his rhythm against bowler Chen Zhuo-yue.

With calculated aggression and impeccable timing, Bhurtel launched into a relentless assault. Six legal deliveries resulted in six consecutive maximums, accumulating 36 runs in a single over. This feat not only put Nepal in a position of complete dominance but also served as a testament to the aggressive batting philosophy currently driving Nepali cricket forward.

Joining an Elite Club

By achieving this milestone, Bhurtel joined an incredibly exclusive list of cricketers who have managed to clear the ropes six times in a single over in international cricket. He now stands alongside legends such as Herschelle Gibbs, Yuvraj Singh, and Kieron Pollard, as well as USA’s Jaskaran Malhotra. Notably, Bhurtel is the second player from Nepal to achieve this, following Dipendra Singh Airee’s heroics against Qatar in 2024. Nepal remains the only country to have produced two batters capable of this feat in men’s international cricket, signaling a massive surge in their batting pedigree.

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A Masterclass in T20 Batting

The carnage did not end with the six sixes. Bhurtel’s innings was a masterclass in modern T20 batting, characterized by pure intent and high-velocity scoring. By the time he completed the over, he had reached 93 runs from just 31 deliveries. He didn’t stop there, however; he eventually powered his way to a century in a mere 35 balls, equaling the record for the fastest hundred by a Nepal batter.

By the time his innings concluded, Bhurtel had smashed 129 runs off just 43 balls. His final tally included an astonishing 16 sixes and five boundaries, leading to a strike rate of 300.00. This destructive effort laid the foundation for Nepal’s massive total of 313/2.

A Collective Effort

While Bhurtel took center stage, the team performance was truly a group effort. Kushal Malla provided a solid foundation with a stylish unbeaten 85 off 47 deliveries, while captain Rohit Paudel displayed his own brand of power-hitting, hammering an unbeaten 69 from just 21 balls. The Chinese bowling attack, led by Deng Jinquing and Ma Qiancheng, struggled to find answers as the Nepali top order dismantled them across the park.

As cricket fans look back on this match, it will be remembered not just for the total runs scored, but for the sheer spectacle of hitting. The rise of Nepal in international cricket continues to be one of the most compelling stories in the sport today. With players like Kushal Bhurtel leading the charge, the team is proving that they are not just here to participate, but to compete at the highest level with fearless intent and world-class skill.

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What This Means for the Future

This match reinforces the fact that the gap between Associate nations and established cricketing powers is closing rapidly. The ability to produce such explosive displays of talent under the pressure of a tournament setting proves that the infrastructure and talent development programs in Nepal are yielding world-class results. The cricket world will undoubtedly keep a close watch on Bhurtel and his teammates as they proceed through the Asian Games qualifiers, carrying the hopes and expectations of their fans across the globe.

Julian Anand

Julian Anand is a senior cricket writer at ESPNcricinfo, known for his lyrical prose and deep-dive longform features on the sport’s unsung heroes. An alumnus of St. Stephen's College, he began his career covering Delhi’s club and university circuits before joining the global cricket desk. Julian has a rare ability to humanise the game—whether chronicling a young pacer from the Maidan or revisiting a forgotten Test classic. He is especially respected for his technical breakdowns of fast bowling and his archival research into cricket history. His work has been recognised with the SJA British Sports Journalism Award and multiple internal honours at Cricinfo. When not at the press box, Julian mentors young sports writers and plays occasional league cricket as a medium-pacer.