ISLAMABAD – West Indies batsman Chris Gayle after thrashing Pakistan in itsopening ICC World Cup match, now has under his banner the record of hittingthe most number of sixes in World Cup history.

The 39-year-old dethroned South Africa’s AB de Villiers after scoring 40sixes in 27 matches of World Cup claiming the record of hitting most sixesin history of the tournament after he thrashed Pakistan’s Hasan Ali for amaximum over long on.

AB de Villiers had previously held the record with 37 sixes in 23 matcheswhile former Australian captain Ricky Ponting was number three on the listwith 31 sixes in 46 World Cup matches.