Moeen Ali smashes fastest half-century by England batter in T20Is

The first T20I between England and South Africa was a cracking contest in Bristol and all-rounder Moeen Ali broke the record for the fastest half-century in T20Is by an English batter. The left-hander brought up his half-century in just 16 deliveries and helped his side to post a massive total of 234 in their allotted 0vers. With six sixes and two fours in his innings, Ali scored at a stunning strike rate of 288.89 and showed his brutal power against the South African bowling attack.

The record for the fastest fifty by an England batter in T20Is was held by Liam Livingstone who achieved the feat in 17 balls against Pakistan in 2021. Eoin Morgan had achieved the feat in 21 balls twice against South Africa and New Zealand in 2020 and 2019 respectively to stand third in the list of fastest fifties scored in T20Is for England. Jos Buttler and Jason Roy are next on the list after scoring fifties in 22 deliveries.

Moeen Ali takes Andile Phehlukwayo to the cleaners

Moeen had the perfect platform to go after the bowling right from ball one and smashed the bowlers out of the park. The 35-year-old was at 20 off 10 deliveries and went to bang in the next six deliveries. He took a particular liking against Andile Phehlukwayo in the latter’s last over, which proved quite costly. Jonny Bairstow, the man in form for England, scored a 53-ball 90 as the duo stitched a 106-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

“It was a nice time to go in. I as a left-hander, went in to keep the right-left combo. It is not easy to score on this pitch. I back myself against the spinners. Jonny is so strong and powerful. We bat well together. It is a great wicket. I try to keep my shape and hit it,” Ali told in the post-match conference after bagging the player of the match award.

Despite some brilliant hitting from the likes of Reeza Hendricks (57) and Tristan Stubbs (72), South Africa fell short of the target by 41 runs and handed a 1-0 lead to the host side. The second T20I gets underway on the 28th of July at Cardiff.