West Indies all-rounder Sunil Narine set the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) on fire with an explosive 13-ball fifty for Comilla Victorians on Wednesday. With this, Narine became the joint-second fastest half-centurion in the T20 format.
The southpaw broke the record books in the second qualifier of the ongoing BPL between Comilla Victorians and Chattogram Challengers. Opening the innings for his side, Sunil Narine fired all cylinders from the first ball to reach the 50-run landmark in no time.
He scored a total of 5 fours and 6 sixes as the Victorians reached the target of 149 runs in just 12.5 overs. In his entire innings, Narine just played two dot balls.
Watch the innings here:
OMGHBFUEBFIOEBV…
Brb, collecting our jaws from the floor! 🤯
📺 WATCH THE FASTEST-EVER 50 IN THE HISTORY OF #BPL ON #FANCODE 👉 https://t.co/zQb7mURAnc#BPLonFanCode #BBPL2022 @SunilPNarine74 pic.twitter.com/SJcxCojRg1
— FanCode (@FanCode) February 16, 2022
Meanwhile, the fastest half-century in T20 cricket came when India’s Yuvraj Singh smacked a 12-ball fifty against England in 2007. Later on, Chris Gayle and Hazratullah Zazai have also scored individual fifties in just 12 balls.
Fastest half-centuries in T20 cricket (international and domestic):
Yuvraj Singh: 12 balls – India vs England in 2007
Chris Gayle: 12 balls – Melbourne Renegades vs Adelaide Strikers in 2016
Hazratullah Zazai: 12 balls – Kabul Zwanan vs Balkh Legends, 2018
Marcus Trescothick: 13 balls – Somerset vs Hampshire in 2010
Sunil Narine: 13 balls – Comilla Victorians vs Chattogram Challengers in 2022
Meanwhile, speaking of the game, Sunil Narine was dismissed for 57 runs but by then, he has put his side on track for the win. Imrul Kayes (22), Faf du Plessis (30 not out) and Moeen Ali, ensured that the team go past the target convincingly.
Reacting to the innings, Narine stated that the wicket was good to bat on with the ball coming on nicely.
“No, when I was told I’d open, I was delighted, especially with just 2 fielders outside the ring. It was a good wicket to bat on, not much spin, especially with the new ball, came on nicely,” Narine said.