Cricket enthusiasts have always been captivated by the spectacle of towering sixes. In this article, we look at a list of the longest sixes in cricket history, celebrating the sheer power and skill of the players who sent the ball soaring to great distances.Â
With the advent of the IPL, six hitting has become the norm, but it still carries a lot of thrill for cricket fans. As the speed of games increase, batters have become six-hitting machines – the weight of the bat and rather small boundaries too have aided them.
List of 10 Longest Six in Cricket History
| No. | Player Name | Distance (in meters) | Team | Against | Year |
| 1 | Shahid Afridi | 153 m | Pakistan | South Africa | 2013 |
| 2 | Brett Lee | 143 m | Australia | West Indies | 2005 |
| 3 | Martin Guptill | 127 m | New Zealand | South Africa | 2012 |
| 4 | Liam Livingstone | 122 m | England | Pakistan | 2021 |
| 5 | Corey Anderson | 122 m | New Zealand | India | 2014 |
| 6 | Mark Waugh | 120 m | Australia | New Zealand | 1997 |
| 7 | Yuvraj Singh | 119 m | India | Australia | 2007 |
| 8 | MS Dhoni | 118 m | India | New Zealand | 2009 |
| 9 | Shahid Afridi | 118 m | Pakistan | Australia | 2005 |
| 10 | Chris Gayle | 116 m | West Indies | India | 2010 |
1. Shahid Afridi – 153 meters
Shahid Afridi, the former cricketer and captain of Pakistan, entered cricket history with the longest six ever recorded. Official records show that his monstrous hit soared a staggering 153 meters. This mammoth six came in a match against South African player Ryan McLaren in Johannesburg back in 2013.
In the 35th over of the run chase, McLaren delivered a length ball, only for Afridi to unleash his power, sending the ball soaring out of the Wanderers Stadium for the biggest six of the game. Despite Afridi’s blistering knock of 88 runs off just 48 balls in pursuit of South Africa’s formidable total of 344, Pakistan ultimately fell short, losing the game by 34 runs.
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2. Brett Lee – 130 meters
Brett Lee, renowned as one of the fastest bowlers in cricket history, once made headlines with his batting. In 2005, he smashed a colossal six measuring 143 meters against the West Indies, and the ball sailed into the practice nets beyond the stadium. Remarkably, this huge six came in the longest format of the game, not in a T20 International or ODl. Rowman Powell, the Windies pacer, was on the receiving end.
3. Martin Guptill – 127 meters
During a T20I match versus South Africa back in 2012, Martin Guptill unleashed a huge six against the bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe. Guptill’s monumental strike saw the ball soar an astounding 127 meters beyond the boundary ropes, an awe-inspiring effort that saw it make contact with the stadium roof before descending.
Displaying his batting mastery, Guptill went on to amass a formidable 78 runs off 55 deliveries, guiding New Zealand to a commanding six-wicket win.Â
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4. Liam Livingstone – 122 meters
Liam Livingstone, renowned for unleashing colossal sixes, is fourth on the list. His huge six came during the England vs. Pakistan 2nd T20I at Headingley in 2021, where he displayed his immense hitting ability by launching a breathtaking 122-meter six off the bowling of Haris Rauf.
Facing Rauf in the 16th over, Livingstone’s mighty blow sailed over the stadium roof and onto the rugby turf, a staggering distance of 122 meters away. Livingstone’s blistering knock of 38 runs played a pivotal role in England posting a formidable total of 200 runs, ultimately leading to Pakistan’s defeat by a margin of 45 runs.
5. Corey Anderson – 122 meters
Corey Anderson secures the fifth position on this illustrious list with his monumental 122-meter six against India back in 2014. In the first ODI of the series, he powered Mohammad Shami’s delivery over the square leg boundary with remarkable force, landing the ball squarely on the roof.
This unfolded during the 44th over, as Anderson’s unbeaten innings of 68 runs proved instrumental in propelling the Kiwis to a formidable total of 292 runs within their allotted 50 overs. Despite India’s valiant efforts, they fell short, managing only 268 runs.Â
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6. Mark Waugh – 120 metersÂ
The Australian legend smashed a 120 meter Six against Daniel Vettori in a Test match against New Zealand in 1997. Mark Waugh was renowned as one of the most stylish batsmen during his playing days. He retired from international cricket in 2002, marking the end of a remarkable career spanning over a decade.
7. Yuvraj Singh – 119 meters
Yuvraj Singh’s remarkable six off Brett Lee in the 2007 T20 World Cup semi-final travelled a distance of 119 meters and takes up the seventh spot in this list. However, it was his historic feat of hitting six sixes in an over against England’s Stuart Broad during the same tournament that truly solidified his legend.
In a display of pure aggression and timing, Yuvraj unleashed a barrage of sixes, each one more emphatic than the last.Â
8. MS Dhoni – 118 metersÂ
MS Dhoni, known for his six-hitting capabilities, is famous for unleashing the iconic helicopter shot. His ability to clear the ropes effortlessly made him a cricketing sensation. In the 2009 India vs. New Zealand 3rd ODI in Auckland, MS Dhoni blasted a colossal 118-meter six, sending the ball soaring deep into the stands.
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9. Shahid Afridi – 117 metersÂ
Back in 2005, Shahid Afridi displayed his explosive batting prowess with a quickfire 30 off just 13 balls against Australia in Perth. During his brief innings, Afridi smashed three fours and two sixes, including a colossal hit measuring 117 meters. His blitz played a crucial role as Pakistan successfully chased down the target of 266 in 47.2 overs.
10. Chris Gayle – 116 meters
When compiling a list of the longest sixes in cricket history, it’s impossible to overlook the towering hits of Chris Gayle. The Jamaican powerhouse consistently sent the ball sailing into the stands with his brute force and impeccable timing.
His ability to generate immense power and distance, combined with his fearless approach to batting, resulted in some of the most awe-inspiring sixes. During a 2010 T20 World Cup match between West Indies and India, Gayle hammered Yusuf Pathan for a colossal 116-meter six that landed outside the Kensington Oval stadium.
FAQs about Longest Six in Cricket History
Q) Who hit the longest six in cricket historyÂ
A) Shahid Afridi holds the record for the longest six ever recorded. Official records show that his six soared 153 meters in a match against South African player Ryan McLaren in Johannesburg in 2013.Â
Q) Who hit the world longest six in cricket history?
A) The answer is Shahid Afridi. The former Pakistan cricketer hit a six that measured 153 meters in a match against South Africa in 2013.
