Patriots-Warriors match in CPL 2024 equals T20 record with 42 sixes!

A record-breaking exhibition of power striking took place during the seventh Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024 game between the Guyana Amazon Warriors and the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots. Together, the two sides hit 42 sixes, which is a record for most sixes ever in a men's T20 encounter. The Indian Premier League (IPL) teams Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings previously set this mark earlier this year.

Together, the two teams hit 42 sixes, which is a record for most sixes ever in a men's T20 encounter. The Indian Premier League (IPL) teams Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings previously set this mark earlier this year. At Warner Park in St. Kitts, the Warriors chose to bat first and got off to a strong start, amassing 53/1 in the opening six overs. 

After that, Shimron Hetmyer joined Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the midst. Hetmyer opened his innings with a six off the third ball of Veerasammy Permaul, then in the next over, Gurbaz hit two sixes off of Ryan John and Odean Smith. With up to 23 sixes, the Warriors' aggressive batting set a new record for the Caribbean Premier League and tied the record for most ever in a men's Twenty20 match. With a total score of 266/7, they were only one run shy of the CPL record of 267/2, which was set in 2019 by Trinbago Knight Riders versus Jamaica Tallawahs. This prepared the audience for a thrilling Patriots pursuit.

CPL 2024 match sets a benchmark:

After smashing the bowlers all over the field, Hetmyer and Gurbaz were removed from the game with the side at 169/3 after 13.4 overs.
Along with Keemo Paul, Hetmyer continued to score runs, amassing a 39-ball 91 that featured 11 sixes, the most in a men's T20 innings without a single four. This beat the previous record set by Riki Wessels in 2018 when Nottinghamshire beat Worcestershire with nine sixes.

The Warriors built up an impressive score, while the Patriots mounted a valiant chase. Even though Evin Lewis was initially lost, powerful hits from players like Andre Fletcher, Kyle Mayers, and Sherfane Rutherford kept the scoreboard moving. But in the ninth over, Rutherford was removed after scoring 34 off just 12 balls, which halted their momentum. Then, in the tenth over, Imran Tahir removed Josh Clarkson and Odean Smith with two swift dismissals.

Fletcher scored a quick 81 from 33 balls as he carried on his rampage till the 13th over. The middle order contributed some big hits, but the Patriots lost wickets frequently and were still 40 runs short. Nevertheless, their 19 sixes contributed to the match's total of 42, which matched the highest maximums ever achieved in a men's T20.

Keep a watch at this space for more CPL 2024 news.