Jos Buttler etched his name into the T20 record books at Old Trafford on Wednesday, becoming the format's all-time leading run-scorer with a scintillating unbeaten 51 off just 20 deliveries as Manchester Super Giants hammered Welsh Fire by nine wickets to snap a three-match losing streak.

Buttler, who went past the record previously held by Kieron Pollard, combined with Tim Seifert (62 not out) to hunt down a target of 156 with a staggering 31 balls to spare, as the hosts romped home to 161 for 1 in only 69 deliveries.

Super Giants blitz the chase

The hosts were quick to assert their dominance in the chase. Even as Seifert got going with an edge that raced away to the boundary, the keeper-bat smashed four more boundaries in the next set to set the tone.

His opening partner Walter was not to become a liability at the other end, either. He took time to take charge, but once he did — against Marco Jansen and Rachin Ravindra — he clubbed the two bowlers for 24 runs in the space of five balls. Even when Sam Cook had him caught at deep midwicket with the 35th ball of the innings, Walter's fall did not derail the chase.

Buttler got going early, scooping Jansen for a boundary off the fourth ball of his innings, but the real carnage began when the South African pacer returned for another set. Buttler smashed him for three successive sixes — the first of those, a slot delivery whacked over square leg, carrying him past Pollard's mark and into the history books.

By then, with the fate of the contest certain, Buttler clubbed Lockie Ferguson for two more sixes, the second of which brought up his half-century and took the Super Giants over the line in emphatic fashion.

Short and Salt shine, but Fire fizzle out

Earlier in the day, Welsh Fire had made a slow start after electing to bat. While Phil Salt was struggling to get the boundaries flowing, Matthew Short repeatedly took the attack to the bowlers. First it was against Liam Dawson, who was smashed for a six and two boundaries off successive deliveries, and then against Noor Ahmad, who was taken apart for three boundaries in the space of four balls.

Salt's only brief moment of release came when Sonny Baker's short deliveries were carted for two boundaries and a six. Both openers departed in quick succession after adding 125 runs for the opening wicket, but with only 17 deliveries left following Salt's departure, the rest were left swinging their bats at the end.

Jordan Cox and Ravindra managed to send one over the ropes each as Gus Atkinson chipped in with a brace, restricting the visitors to 155 for 4 — a total that proved hopelessly inadequate as Fire slumped to their second defeat of the season.

Brief scores: Welsh Fire 155/4 in 100 balls (Matthew Short 71, Phil Salt 48; Gus Atkinson 2-12) lost to Manchester Super Giants 161/1 in 69 balls (Tim Seifert 62*, Jos Buttler 51*) by 9 wickets.