Waseem launched Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmad over the deep-mid wicket on the roof of the Sharjah Cricket Stadium to bring up his 100th six this year.

He clobbered another one and ended 2023 with 101 sixes to hit the most number of over-boundaries in a year. Trailing him is India’s captain Rohit Sharma, who holds the next three positions on the list, with 80 sixes in 2023, 78 in 2019, and 74 in 2018. Suryakumar Yadav also hit 74 sixes in 2022.

Unlike Rohit, Waseem plays only two formats. An opening batter, he amassed 1645 runs at an average of 35.76 from 47 matches across T20Is and ODIs to wrap up the year.

In T20Is alone, he smacked 54 sixes from 23 games – the most in a year after Surya’s 68 in 2022. In fact, between them, Surya and Waseem share the top five positions on that list.

In ODIs, Waseem’s count stood at 47 sixes from 24 outings – the fifth-most in a calendar year by a batter but the most from an Associate Nation.

Muhammad Waseem becomes the FIRST player to hit 100 international sixes in a year.

Most sixes in a year
101 – Muhammad Waseem🇦🇪 in 2023
80 – Rohit Sharma🇮🇳 in 2023
78 – Rohit Sharma🇮🇳 in 2019
74 – Rohit Sharma🇮🇳 in 2018
74 – Suryakumar Yadav🇮🇳 in 2022
65 – Rohit Sharma🇮🇳 in 2017… pic.twitter.com/jrIZcFuljN

— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) December 31, 2023

Talking of the second T20I, Waseem’s opening blitz of 53 off 32 deliveries, comprising four fours and three sixes, along with Aryan Lakra’s 63, played a vital hand in powering the hosts to 166 runs while batting first.

In reply, Afghanistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals and slipped from 62-2 to 99-6 leaving Mohammad Nabi stranded at one end. With 12 needed off two deliveries, Nabi was dismissed for 47 off 27 balls, resulting in his side’s 11-run defeat.

UAE have clawed back into the series after losing the first encounter. With the series on the line, they will fancy their chances of winning the decider on January 2.