Mohammad Farooq Breaks 49-Year-Old First-Class Six-Hitting Record in Pakistan

Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail

MIT Solutions batter Mohammad Farooq has entered Pakistan’s domestic cricket record books after hitting 14 sixes in a remarkable first-class innings against Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) in the President’s Trophy Grade-I.

Playing at Shoaib Akhtar Stadium, Farooq scored 163 runs from only 99 deliveries. His aggressive innings included 11 fours and 14 sixes before he was dismissed.

Farooq Sets New Record

Farooq’s 14 sixes are now the most hit by a batter in a single first-class innings on Pakistani soil, surpassing a record that had stood for nearly five decades.

The previous mark belonged to Gulfraz Khan, who struck 12 sixes while scoring 207 runs for Railways against Pakistan Universities in Lahore during the 1976-77 season.

Farooq has also moved ahead of former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram, who hit 12 sixes during his unbeaten 257 against Zimbabwe at Sheikhupura in 1996.

The MIT Solutions batter cleared the boundary approximately once every seven balls during his 99-ball stay at the crease, underlining the attacking nature of his innings.

Other Notable Six-Hitting Records

Pakistan’s first-class cricket has produced several powerful hitting performances over the years.

Majid Khan hit 13 sixes in an unbeaten 147 for Pakistan against Glamorgan at Swansea in 1967, putting his name among the prominent six-hitters in the format.

Farooq’s latest innings has now taken the record to 14 sixes for a first-class innings played on Pakistani soil.

The record comes in the same week that first-class six-hitting attracted attention after Razaullah struck nine sixes and four fours while scoring 81 from 63 balls on his Test debut against England at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

MIT Solutions Build Strong Score

At the time of reporting, MIT Solutions had reached 394 for 3 after 71 overs.

Atiq-ur-Rehman was unbeaten on 98 from 102 balls and was closing in on his maiden first-class century. His innings included 11 fours and two sixes.

Salman Khan also contributed with 80 from 150 deliveries, hitting nine fours and one six.

Farooq’s 14 sixes have given him a new place in Pakistan’s domestic first-class record books, ending a 49-year wait for a new mark in this category.