Jaskaran Malhotra smashes six sixes in an over, becomes first ODI centurion for USA

Papua New Guinea and the United States of America locked horns against each other for the second ODI on Thursday, September 9. USA has posted a target of 271 runs for PNG. However, what has grabbed the eyeballs of the cricket on-lookers is the belligerent innings of Jaskaran Malhotra.

Malhotra scored a splendid century and held the fort of the side to put the team in a commanding position. His innings of unbeaten 173 runs has made him the first-ever American batter to score a One Day International century. His innings included as many as 16 sixes and 4 fours. To further garner the audacity of the achievement, he also became the second batsman to hit six sixes in an over in ODI format.

Jaskaran Malhotra stars with the bat for the USA 

PNG’s bowler Gaudi Toka had gone wicketless in the match. To add to his disappointment, Jaskaran Malhotra took over the bowler to hit six sixes in the last over of the match. Initially, the USA’s batting line-up collapsed as the team was reduced to 72/4 in the 20^th over.

However, Malhotra took the mantle of the team and stayed firm on the pitch to display his sheer flair and build on his innings. His impressive knock fetched in a lot of praises to him. He became the second player after Herschelle Gibbs to hit six sixes in an over in ODI cricket. The USA cricket took it to their official Twitter account to mention Malhotra’s historic innings.

Papua New Guinea and the United States were scheduled to face each other for a two-match ODI series. After having won the toss, Papua New Guinea decided to bat first in the first ODI at Al Amerat Cricket Ground Oman Cricket. The decision however did not go quite well for the team as they lost their openers Tony Ura(5) and Lega Siaka(7) early.

The skipper of the side Assad Vala provided some resistance to the team and top-scored for the side. He played an important knock of 61 runs before Nisarg Patel, who picked up four wickets in the match sent him back to the hut. Sese Bau (30) was the other player who contributed important runs as PNG put 158 runs on the board. Chasing down the total, the USA looked dominant on the field. Their openers provided a steady start to the team. Steven Taylor (82) and Monank Patel (34) fashioned the team’s victory in the first ODI.