UAE captain Muhammad Waseem overtakes India’s Rohit Sharma to achieve two monumental T20I milestones

In a stunning display of power-hitting, United Arab Emirates (UAE) captain Muhammad Waseem has etched his name into the record books, leaving a trail of broken records in his wake. During the fourth game of the T20I tri-series against Afghanistan in Sharjah, Waseem delivered a captain’s knock that saw him surpass India’s Rohit Sharma for not one, but two significant milestones. His brilliant innings not only cemented his status as a destructive T20 batter but also highlighted his remarkable consistency at the helm of his national side. Waseem’s heroic efforts have placed him among the elite echelon of T20 cricket captains globally.

UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem outshines Rohit Sharma with double record-breaking feat

1. A world record: Most sixes as T20I captain

Waseem’s record-breaking day began with a bang during the UAE’s chase of 189. With a couple of powerful sixes off Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, the UAE skipper shattered the previous record held by India’s Rohit. Waseem’s aggressive approach saw him surpass Rohit’s tally of 105 sixes to claim a new world record. He now sits comfortably at the top of the list, cementing his reputation as one of the most destructive hitters in the format.

Waseem’s six-hitting prowess is not limited to his captaincy. His tally of 174 sixes in T20Is also places him second on the all-time list, a testament to his consistent power, with only Rohit (205) ahead of him. His record-breaking innings of 67 from just 37 balls was a masterclass in aggressive yet controlled batting.

2) Surpassing a milestone: Most 50+ scores as captain

Waseem’s record-breaking day continued as he reached his half-century in just 25 balls, marking his 17th score of fifty or more as a T20I captain. This incredible achievement allowed him to surpass two of the most celebrated captains in T20I history, Rohit and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, who both have 16 half-centuries. While he now holds the second spot, he is still chasing Pakistan’s Babar Azam who leads the list with a commanding 26 scores of fifty or more.

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Despite Waseem’s individual heroics, the UAE’s campaign in the tri-series has faced a tough start. The team lost their second consecutive match, falling to Afghanistan by 38 runs, which has significantly hurt their chances of reaching the final on September 7. The series, however, remains a crucial part of the preparations for all three teams ahead of the Asia Cup 2025.

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