Prema Rawat smashes 14-ball fifty to set world record for fastest women’s T20 half-century

There was absolute carnage at the MCA Stadium in Pune on Monday, and it came from the bat of Prema Rawat. Rawat set the record for the fastest half-century in women’s T20 cricket, reaching the mark in just 14 balls. That broke the record of Pakistan’s Fatima Sana, who brought up her fifty in 15 deliveries against Zimbabwe.

Uttarakhand were up against Hyderabad in the ongoing Senior Women’s T20 Trophy. Batting first, Uttarakhand posted 187/2. Raghvi Bisht scored a well-crafted unbeaten 72 off 50 balls, while her opening partner Kareena added 44 off 34 balls.

Rawat walked in at No. 4 in the 18th over, and what followed was absolute chaos. After playing out her first ball for a dot, she unleashed three back-to-back fours off Sakshi Rao. Rawat stepped up the charge against VP Pooja, taking 16 runs off the 19th over.

She saved the best for last against KS Niteesha, smashing 20 off the final four balls of the innings. Rawat started the final-over assault with a six over deep square leg and followed it with a swept four through the same area. She went for it again on the next ball before launching Niteesha for a spectacular six to end the innings and bring up her record-breaking half-century.

Rawat finished unbeaten on 50 off 14 balls, as she and Bisht added an unbeaten 58 in the final 2.5 overs.

She then took two wickets as Uttarakhand’s bowlers restricted Hyderabad to 98/8, sealing an 89-run win.