Whereas hitting a double century is still a far-fetched dream for one of the greatest batsmen like Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, Aaron Finch, Virat Kohli in T20 cricket, South Africa’s visually impaired batsman Frederik Boer has turned it into a reality. Boer stunned everyone by scoring a double century in T20 cricket on October 2, in the Blind Cricket South Africa national tournament.
He represented Boland in their last round-robin match against Free State and went on to amass 205 runs from 78 balls at an incredible strike rate of 263. During his masterful knock, he slammed 39 boundaries and four sixes and to be precise 180 of his runs came in boundaries alone while translated to 87.80 percent of the runs as per reports in Times Live.
Boer opened the batting with Sheperd Mangxaba, who scored a blistering 97 runs from 53 balls. Boland eventually went on to score 319 runs for a loss of one wicket. The partnership lasted until the last ball of the innings when Boer succumbed to a run-out after three dot deliveries.
ALSO READ: Aaron Finch To Lead The T20 Squad Against Pakistan
The target turned out to be a bridge too far for Free State as they could only manage 155/6 in their 20 overs. Subsequently, they lost by 164 runs. However, Boer couldn’t make an impact in the final on Wednesday, October 3, against Gauteng, who were expected to go back to the drawing board in order to churn out tactics to dismiss Boer.
Even after the record innings, Boer was humble and thankful for all the love from people on Facebook. Here’s what Boer had to say after his historic innings:
The first South African visually impaired player to score a double hundred in T20 cricket. 205 of 78 balls. 39×4's 4×6's strike rate 263 pic.twitter.com/pZA2SyU55T
— Blind Cricket South Africa 🇿🇦🏏 (@BlindcricketS) October 2, 2018
Praises poured in from around the world after the double century:
@SamarthanamTFTD @blind_cricket @OfficialCSA @ICC #BlindCricket
South Africa's FERDIE BOER is the first South African visually impaired player to score a double hundred in T20 cricket. 205 of 78 balls. 39×4's 4×6's strike rate 263 😊🎊💐 https://t.co/MFhw3e18hl— Mayur Baruah (@BaruahMayur) October 3, 2018
Amazing innings! https://t.co/SswGEdKuMA https://t.co/kYId8grjYc
— WebCricket (@WebCricketSA) October 2, 2018
Amazing, 200 runs in a T20 https://t.co/tumGlnbW0x
— Shawn Belluigi (@icarusjhb) October 2, 2018
Take a bow, well done! 👏👏👏 https://t.co/brbbklMC8s
— naeemah (@NaeemahBenjamin) October 2, 2018
LEGEND!
Well done. https://t.co/ry8Q4Uj3Gn— Rrrrobin Adams 🇿🇦 (@RobinAdamsZA) October 2, 2018
What a beast !!!! Champion https://t.co/8KTJxQ2Or4
— Billz 🇿🇦 (@billz_25) October 2, 2018
Wow a lad!!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽✊🏿 https://t.co/drjDEwwWHB
— Lehlohonolo Duze (@Lahloza) October 2, 2018
His innings helped Boland post a stupendous total of 319 for the loss of one wicket. The double centurion’s fiery innings ended with three dot balls followed by him losing his wicket through a runout.
