AHMEDABAD: Indian left-arm opener Abhishek Sharma on Sunday added another feather to his cap after scoring the fastest half-century in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final.
Sharma, who is number one in the ICC Men’s T20I batting rankings, has failed to maintain his status in the opening stages of the 20-team mega event, registering three ducks each in his first three matches against arch-rivals USA (US), Pakistan and Netherlands.
The 25-year-old broke his run drought in the Super Eight match against South Africa, during which he scored 15, and then showed his mettle with a half-century against Zimbabwe.
However, Sharma failed to carry over his form as he posted single-digit scores in the Super Eight against West Indies and the must-win semi-final against England.
The top-ranked T20I batsman entered the T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand with just 89 runs at a poor average of 12.71.
Although Sharma failed to convert his militant half-century into a big one, it helped him break South Africa’s Heinrich Clausen’s record for the fastest half-century in a T20 World Cup final.
Notably, Klaassen scored a 23-ball fifty in South Africa’s failed run chase in the final of the previous edition.
Fastest Fifties in Men’s T20 World Cup Final
- Abhishek Sharma (India) – 18 balls against New Zealand in 2026
- Heinrich Klaasen (South Africa) – 23 balls against India in 2024
- Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand) – 31 balls against Australia in 2021
After scoring 52 off 21 balls with 6 fours and 3 sixes, Rachin was caught off Ravindra’s bowling and dropped back.