Longest Six in Cricket History 173 Meters
Cricket isn’t pretty much skill, timing, and temperament—it’s additionally approximately strength. Over the years, cricket enthusiasts have witnessed some implausible shots sent flying over the boundary. From Chris Gayle’s colossal hits to Shahid Afridi’s fantastic energy, the fun of a massive six never fades. But one query usually excites cricket fans — who hit the longest six in cricket records?
The answer often debated amongst professionals and lovers is Shahid Afridi, who reportedly smashed a 173-meter six — considered the longest in cricket history. Although not formally recorded by using ICC with cutting-edge measuring gear, this mythical hit is remembered as one of the maximum iconic power-hitting moments in cricket.
Let’s dive deep into the information, controversies, and verified records of the longest sixes ever hit in cricket records. Longest Six in Cricket History 173 Meters
Who Hit the Longest Six in Cricket History?
The file for the longest six (173 meters) is often attributed to Shahid Afridi, the former Pakistani all-rounder recognised for his explosive batting fashion. This awesome hit reportedly happened throughout a healthy in Johannesburg, South Africa, when Afridi struck a transport excessive and a long way out of the stadium.
While there are debates approximately the accuracy of the size, it stays one in all cricket’s most legendary moments. Even modern-day hitters like Chris Gayle, MS Dhoni, and AB de Villiers have hardly ever crossed the 120–a hundred thirty meter mark formally. Longest Six in Cricket History 173 Meters
Shahid Afridi’s 173-Meter Six – The Story Behind It
Shahid Afridi, nicknamed Boom Boom Afridi, was one of the maximum feared hitters in international cricket. His six-hitting capacity got here from sheer strength, bat velocity, and confidence. The 173-meter six became said to were hit in Johannesburg, South Africa, at some point of Pakistan’s tour inside the early 2000s.
Afridi faced a quick bowler, got below the ball, and launched it out of the stadium. The ball reportedly traveled thus far that it changed into lost past the stadium complicated. Although reputable confirmation turned into never made through ICC, it remains one of the maximum talked-approximately sixes in cricket folklore.
Table: Longest Six in Cricket History 173 Meters (Top 10 Records)
| Rank | Player | Distance (Meters) | Year | Opponent / Event | Country / Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) | 173 meters | 2005 | vs South Africa | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| 2 | Brett Lee (Australia) | 143 meters | 2005 | vs West Indies | Gabba, Australia |
| 3 | Martin Guptill (New Zealand) | 127 meters | 2012 | vs South Africa | Wellington, New Zealand |
| 4 | Liam Livingstone (England) | 122 meters | 2021 | vs Pakistan (T20I) | Headingley, England |
| 5 | Corey Anderson (New Zealand) | 122 meters | 2014 | vs India | Queenstown, New Zealand |
| 6 | Chris Gayle (West Indies) | 120 meters | 2013 | IPL (vs Pune Warriors) | Bangalore, India |
| 7 | MS Dhoni (India) | 118 meters | 2009 | vs New Zealand | Wellington, New Zealand |
| 8 | Yuvraj Singh (India) | 119 meters | 2007 | vs Australia (T20 WC) | Durban, South Africa |
| 9 | Ijaz Ahmed (Pakistan) | 120 meters | 1999 | vs India | Mohali, India |
| 10 | Adam Gilchrist (Australia) | 113 meters | 2007 | vs Sri Lanka | Perth, Australia |
Top 5 Longest Sixes in International Cricket (Official Measurements)
| Player | Team | Distance (Meters) | Match Type | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brett Lee | Australia | 143 | Test | West Indies |
| Martin Guptill | New Zealand | 127 | ODI | South Africa |
| Corey Anderson | New Zealand | 122 | ODI | India |
| Liam Livingstone | England | 122 | T20I | Pakistan |
| Yuvraj Singh | India | 119 | T20I | Australia |
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The Evolution of Six-Hitting in Cricket
In in advance decades, hitting a six changed into a rare and risky attempt. Batsmen like Viv Richards and Kapil Dev had uncooked power however played with heavier bats and slower pitches. With the advent of T20 cricket and modern-day bat technology, hitting sixes have become part of each player’s arsenal.
Old Era (Before 2000)
- Heavy bats and traditional strategies.
- Players like Viv Richards, Ian Botham, and Clive Lloyd had been acknowledged for energy hitting.
- Very few sixes recorded over 100 meters.
Modern Era (2000–2025)
- Lightweight bats with larger candy spots.
- Players like Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, and Glenn Maxwell can clear a hundred meters resultseasily.
- Use of generation like ball-monitoring and radar to measure distances accurately.
How Are Six Distances Measured in Cricket?
Measuring the distance of a six is not as honest as it seems. Earlier, estimations had been made based on the ball’s exit perspective and assumed trajectory. Today, technologies like Hawk-Eye and radar structures are used to report specific distances.
Methods Used:
- Radar Tracking: Captures ball’s velocity and flight direction.
- Hawk-Eye Analysis: Measures the exact arc of the ball until it lands.
- Camera Estimation: Used in older days to estimate distances.
- GPS Mapping: Rarely used however can calculate accurate ball trajectory.
Modern structures have made information extra dependable, however historical sixes like Afridi’s 173m remain unverifiable.
Players Known for the Biggest Sixes
Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)
- Known as Boom Boom for his explosive batting.
- Holds the document for the quickest ODI century (off 37 balls in 1996).
- Famous for the 173-meter six and a couple of a hundred and twenty+ meter hits.
Chris Gayle (West Indies)
- The Universe Boss has hit over a thousand sixes in professional cricket.
- His longest six (120m) got here inside the IPL towards Pune Warriors.
MS Dhoni (India)
- Known for his helicopter shot.
- Hit a 118m six in opposition to New Zealand in 2009.
- Calm, composed, but effective.
Liam Livingstone (England)
- England’s new-age strength hitter.
- Recorded a 122-meter six in 2021 vs Pakistan.
- Uses incredible bat pace and timing.
Corey Anderson (New Zealand)
- Broke Shahid Afridi’s quickest ODI century file in 2014.
- Hit a 122m six vs India.
Comparison: Longest Six in Each Cricket Format
| Format | Player | Distance | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | Brett Lee | 143m | West Indies | 2005 |
| ODI | Martin Guptill | 127m | South Africa | 2012 |
| T20I | Liam Livingstone | 122m | Pakistan | 2021 |
| IPL | Chris Gayle | 120m | Pune Warriors | 2013 |
| PSL | Shahid Afridi | 111m | Lahore Qalandars | 2018 |
Venues Famous for Big Sixes
Some grounds are certainly favorable for large hitters due to elevation, thin air, or quick barriers.
| Stadium Name | Location | Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| Wanderers Stadium | Johannesburg, South Africa | High altitude, thin air |
| Eden Park | Auckland, New Zealand | Short straight boundaries |
| M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | Bangalore, India | High altitude, small ground |
| Adelaide Oval | Australia | True bounce, flat pitches |
| Sharjah Stadium | UAE | Historic six-hitting venue |
Fun Facts About Long Sixes
- Shahid Afridi has hit over 400 sixes in global cricket.
- Chris Gayle holds the file for most sixes in T20s (over 1000+ sixes).
- In girls’s cricket, Deandra Dottin holds the file for the longest six (around 110m).
- The common professional cricket six travels 75–90 meters.
- Modern bats can send the ball 15–20 meters further than older bats.
Why Shahid Afridi’s 173-Meter Six Is Still Talked About
Despite being unofficial, the 173-meter six stays iconic because it represents the essence of raw strength in cricket. No current measuring gadget existed then, however eyewitnesses and commentary suggest it cleared the stadium absolutely.
The hit symbolizes Afridi’s fearless attitude — always aiming for the skies irrespective of the situation. Fans across generations nonetheless debate whether any player will ever officially ruin that legendary report.
The Debate: Was It Really 173 Meters?
Many experts argue that 173 meters can be an exaggerated determine. Given the physics of cricket ball flight, regardless of ideal release and skinny air, a six of over 150 meters appears quite incredible.
Modern generation limits maximum recorded sixes to around one hundred thirty–140 meters. Still, Afridi’s hit ought to have reached over one hundred thirty meters effortlessly, and the relaxation might be legend-constructing by using lovers and commentators.
Regardless, it has end up part of cricket’s cultural history — the “173-meter six” lives on as cricket folklore.
Impact of Big Sixes in Modern Cricket
Big sixes have transformed cricket from a technical sport right into a worldwide spectacle. T20 leagues like IPL, BBL, and PSL thrive on six-hitting amusement. Batsmen with strength-hitting abilties at the moment are more valued than ever.
Influence Areas:
- Franchise auctions price players with strike costs above 150+.
- Stadium designs now include larger stands and protection nets.
- TV images spotlight six distances in real-time for fan engagement.
- Bat manufacturers continuously innovate for extra electricity and much less weight.
Summary Table – Longest Six Record Overview
| Category | Record Holder | Distance | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Longest Six (Unofficial) | Shahid Afridi | 173m | Unverified, most famous |
| Longest Six (Official) | Brett Lee | 143m | Recorded via radar |
| Longest Six in T20I | Liam Livingstone | 122m | Verified by ICC |
| Longest Six in IPL | Chris Gayle | 120m | Measured during IPL 2013 |
| Longest Six by Indian | MS Dhoni | 118m | Against New Zealand |
| Longest Six by NZ Player | Martin Guptill | 127m | Verified record |
Conclusion
The tale of the longest six in cricket records (173 meters) will for all time continue to be one of cricket’s most fascinating legends. Whether it was precisely 173 meters or barely less, the impact it left on fans is unquestionable.
Shahid Afridi’s enormous hit keeps to encourage younger cricketers to play fearless cricket and dream of sending the ball out of the park. With current electricity hitters like Liam Livingstone, Andre Russell, and Glenn Maxwell, cricket’s six-hitting era is a long way from over — but the “173-meter six” remains the ultimate benchmark of strength and legend.
