Young cricket players have used the U-19 World Cup as a stage to display their abilities and aptitude. Numerous players have established themselves in this competition throughout the years. Some have even broken records in the previous editions of the tournament.
Smashing the fastest fifty against quality bowlers is a magnificent achievement. However, it is a milestone achieved by barely a few people. Let’s take a look at the fastest half centuries in Under-19 World Cup history
Also Check : Top five players who were not able to breakthrough Indian team after succeeding in Under-19 World Cup
U-19 World Cup :Top 5 Fastest half Centuries in U-19 World Cup History
5) Suresh Raina (19 balls vs Scotland Under-19)
Suresh Raina (Source-Twitter)
With a 175-run partnership against Nigeria, openers Shikhar Dhawan and Robin Uthappa (97) proved pretty impressive, with the former top-scoring with an incredible 155*. With an aggressive purpose, Raina, his side’s middle order holder, batted with a strike rate of 236.84. After hitting two sixes and 14 boundaries, he reached 90 off just 38 balls. India therefore concluded with 425/3, their highest-ever score in Youth ODIs.
4) Azmatullah Omarzai (19 balls vs New Zealand Under-19)
Azmatullah Omarzai (Source-Twitter)
Omarzai came to bat in the 45th over during the Super League Quarter Final in Christchurch, where he was playing against the hosts. When Omarzai entered the crease, Afghanistan’s score was 226/5. Omarzai then put on a display of insanity, smashing 66 runs in only 23 balls to push his team’s total beyond 300. He dispatched the Kiwi bowlers hitting three boundaries as well as seven sixes. Afghanistan proceeded to defeat New Zealand by 202 runs, making it to the semifinals before falling to Australia.
3) Finn Allen (19 balls vs Kenya Under-19)
Finn Allen (Source-Twitter)
Furthermore, Finn Allen hit a 19-ball half-century during the 2018 U-19 World Cup. In the tournament’s Match 14, against the Kenya U-19 team, the current New Zealand opener scored 90 runs off just 40 balls. Allen wreaked havoc on the Kenyan bowlers, giving the Christchurch audience something that will stay with them for a lifetime. Allen’s destruction came after a magnificent opening combination of 245 runs involving Jakob Bhula and Rachin Ravindra.
2) Rishabh Pant (18 balls vs Nepal Under-19)
Rishabh Pant (Source-Twitter)
After accomplishing the incredible accomplishment, Rishabh Pant held the honour for a lengthy period of time. He scored his half-century against Nepal in the 2016 U-19 World Cup in Dhaka in just 18 balls. After smashing their bowlers to all corners of the park to reach 169/8 over 48 overs, Pant launched the pursuit on an aggressive note from the off. With 78 runs in just 24 balls, Pant made it possible for the Indian Colts to easily chase the total.
1) Steve Stolk (13 balls vs Scotland Under-19)
Steve Stolk (Source-Twitter)
Steve Stolk is the most recent addition to the list as well as the new record breaker. The right-handed opener broke Pant’s record by five balls. Just 13 balls were needed to accomplish Stolk’s most recent half-century. South Africa made every effort to chase down 270 runs as soon as possible in an effort to maintain their net run rate. With Stolk smashing Qasim Khan for 34 runs during the third over, the host country demonstrated their mastery of the game as well. With Stolk leading the way and scoring 80 runs off of 34 balls, South Africa scored 126/1 in their opening ten overs.
