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Five popular players whose T-20 International career started with a six

Over the years, fans of cricket have witnessed many types of debutants. The first game is a moment of incredible pressure for any player and many have failed due to huge expectations. Only a select few have managed to get going from the very first ball of their International career. In this article, we will look at five such players who started their International career with a six.

5. Tino Best 

Best was once considered a future leader of the West Indies bowling attack. Best failed to fulfil his potential but did produce some memorable moments throughout his career. In his T-20I career, Best got a chance to bat in only one innings. Against Pakistan, West Indies were reeling in their chase of 136 when Best came out to bat.

Saeed Ajmal bowled a loopy off-break and Best came down the pitch to muscle the ball over long-off. He hit another six in the last over of the game, but his heroics came too late for his team as West Indies lost the game by 11 runs. 

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4. Jerome Taylor

Taylor made his T-20 International debut against New Zealand in February 2006 but got an opportunity with the bat only in 2008 against South Africa. The Proteas bowling attack composed of Pollock, Ntini and the Morkel brothers wreaked havoc and West Indies were struggling to reach a decent total.

Ntini was in the middle of a superb spell but Taylor, facing his very first ball in T-20 International cricket, clubbed the ball over midwicket for a six. He remained unbeaten, but men from the Caribbean did not get enough runs on the board, resulting in a comfortable chase by South Africa.   

3. Kieron Pollard

A true legend of T-20 cricket, Pollard started his career in a typical fashion with a big hit. When Pollard came to bat, West Indies were cruising in their chase of 156 against the Black Caps. Gayle was dismissed after a blistering 67 and Pollard joined Shawn Findlay at the crease.

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Off-spinner Jeetan Patel got punished by Pollard for erring marginally short as Pollard lifted the ball over midwicket. However, Vettori dismissed Pollard in the very next over and the match ended in a tie resulting in the first-ever super over.

 2. Sohail Tanvir 

Arguably the first T-20 specialist bowler, Tanvir was known for his unconventional action and subtle variations with the ball. But many might not remember a brief cameo from Tanvir in the 2007 World T-20 final when Pakistan were struggling to score runs.

The 18th over of the chase was bowled by Sreesanth and Tanvir was facing his first ball in international cricket. Tanvir deposited the first ball over long-on and played a sublime flick off his pads in the same over. His hitting increased Pakistan’s chances of winning the World Cup as the game went on until the final over. In the end, India lifted the trophy despite a brilliant effort from Misbah-Ul-Haq. 

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1. Suryakumar Yadav 

SKY, as he is fondly called by his team-mates, got a well deserved debut against England in the recently concluded T-20 series. He did not bat in his first game but got an opportunity in the fourth game of the series as Kohli promoted him to number 3.

Archer was in fine rhythm but Yadav shuffled across the crease and played a magnificent pull shot over the fine leg boundary. He continued to attack throughout his innings, playing terrific shots all over the ground on his way to a half-century. A controversial decision resulted in his dismissal, but he had well and truly established himself as a special talent.

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