Cricket world loses it over Iftikhar Ahmed feat: 'Unbelievable'

Pakistan batter Iftikhar Ahmed has joined one of the rarest and most exclusive clubs in the cricket world after an astonishing feat that has left fans around the world gobsmacked. The 32-year-old etched his name in history after belting six consecutive sixes in one over, during a Pakistan Super League exhibition match for Quetta Gladiators against Peshawar Zalmi.

Iftikhar is just the 11th player in the history of first-class cricket to smash six maximums in one over. The astonishing feat sees the Pakistan batter join Sir Garfield Sobers, Ravi Shastri, Herschelle Gibbs, Yuvraj Singh, Kieron Pollard, Ross Whiteley, Hazratullah Zazai, Leo Carter, Thisara Perera and Jaskaran Malhotra as the only men to have achieved the batting feat of perfection in one over.

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Iftikhar reached his half-century off 42 balls, but exploded in the 20th and final over of his side's innings, finishing on 94 not out from just 50 balls. Peshawar bowler Wahab Riaz was the unfortunate man on the receiving end of Iftikhar's incredible feat, as the Quetta batter sent the ball flying to all parts of the ground.

The brutal late cameo helped Quetta reach 5-184 off their 20 overs, with Iftikhar's side holding on for a thrilling three-run win. Chasing the victory target of 185, Peshawar were restricted to 7-181 in their 20 overs, with Mohammad Hasnain the pick of the bowlers for Quetta after bagging figures of 3-30 in four overs.

Cricket world erupts over Iftikhar Ahmed display

However, it was Iftikhar's historic display with the bat that unsurprisingly dominated the headlines. The batter's stunning feat left the cricket world in a frenzy on social media.

The exhibition match was a precursor to the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League, which is set to get underway on February 14. The first match of the season sees the Multan Sultans take on the Lahore Qalandars in Pakistan's domestic T20 competition.

Australians Matthew Wade, Tim David, Andrew Tye and Ben Cutting are among some of the notable international stars featuring in the competition. Pakistan Test stars Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi, as well as New Zealand veteran Martin Guptill, are also among the big-name players competing in the Pakistan Super League.

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