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. In this article lets discuss seven such instances where a team won the match with the batsman hitting a six off the final delivery
The first name in the list is of Lance Klusener. 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.
The second name in the list is of Mohammed Yousuf. He did it against arch-rivals India in a must-win match in the Asia Cup. He came in at number 3, but this time playing a more subdued knock. He crawled to the 50-run mark in 90 deliveries. After that, he started the assault on the Indian bowling attack. He hit boundaries in every over, taking his total to 95 before the final over. He then took a single in the only ball he faced in the first 5 balls of the over, before hitting a six over long-on off Thiru Kumaran in last ball as Pakistan won the match by 44 runs, knocking India out of the tournament.
The third name in the list is of Shivanarine Chanderpaul. 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. This is considered to be one of the most famous wins of West Indies cricketing career.
The fourth name in the list is of Nathan McCullum. 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.
The fifth name in the list is of Ed Rainsford. 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 in grand fashion to win the match.
The sixth name in the list is of Javed Miandad. Javed’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.
The seventh and the last name in the list is of Brendan Taylor. 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.
