Another record for impressive AB de Villiers, hits 36 sixes in World Cup

New Delhi: South African captain AB de Villiers on Thursday scripted yet another record, by becoming the first batsman to hit 20 sixes in a single edition of World Cup. His 82-ball innings for 99 runs, which included four hits over the rope, helped the Proteas registered a comfortable 146-run win over United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The record for most sixes in a single edition was previously held by former Australian opener Matthew Hayden, who struck 18 during the 2007 World Cup. Interestingly, West Indian opener Chris Gayle has also 18 sixes in this tournament, and he will have enough chances to surpass the count when Windies meet lowly UAE in their final pool match on March 15 in Napier.

AB already recorded most World Cup sixes during South Africa's 29-run defeat to Pakistan on March 7. In that match, he carted five sixes to surpass Ricky Ponting's 31. The South African has now 36 sixes to his name.

Regarded as one of the greats of modern times, AB is on record breaking spree. The 31-year-old has the fastest 50, 100 and 150 in ODI's to his credit.