Top 10 Batsmen Fastest Half Centuries in U-19 Cricket

It is said that performing on the U19 platform  is the stepping stone to a successful international cricket career. Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson and Jason Holder are a few among the waves of talent that junior level cricket has to offer.

Junior level cricket has always been exciting to watch. Young cricketers representing their countries, the exuberance of youth and bravado is always exciting to watch. For 19-year-old batsmen, there is nothing more special than single-handedly decimate an opposition bowling attack. Scoring a half-century in quick time not only underlines talent but also highlights bravado.

Although not all of them go on to represent their country at the senior levels, some of the better players have left us awe-struck with their batting performances. That said, here is a list of batsman with the fastest half-centuries in U-19 cricket.

10. Sunil Ambris (50 off 24 balls) v Australia, Vishakapatnam 9 Oct 2011

West Indian Wicketkeeper batsman Sunil Ambris smashed 50 off a mere 24 balls against a strong Australian. Playing on dead rubber, Ambris came in at the close of the innings, ensuring that the Windies finished off on a massive 365. Ambris’ finished off with a magnificent strike rate of 208.33. the Windies secured a slender 16 run victory.  Sunil Ambris (91 off 43) v Papua New Guinea, Townsville, 13 Aug 2012

9. Sunil Ambris (91 off 43) v Papua New Guinea, Townsville, 13 Aug 2012

Sunil Ambris features once more on the list of fastest half-centurions. Batting at the newly inaugurated Tony Ireland stadium, Ambris smashed an amazing 91 off 43 deliveries against a hapless Papua New Guinea side. Chasing 116 to win, Ambris smashed 91, compiling the massive score with 9 fours and 7 sixes. Although he lost his wicket with only six runs to win, Ambris once again ended up with a strike rate of over 200.

8. George Bailey (56 off 26) v Kenya, Dunedin, 20 Jan 2002

Former Australian skipper George Bailey’s 56 will forever be remembered in U-19 world cup cricket. Coming in at no.6, Bailey put the Kenyan attack to the sword with a blistering 56. With a massive strike rate of 215, the Aussies compiled a massive 480 in their 50 overs before bowling Kenya out for a poultry 50. The 430 run win margin is the record for the highest victory margin in U-19 cricket. In spite of the number of records, Bailey is the only Australian who features in the top 10 fastest fifties list.

7. Sarfaraz Khan (59 off 27) v Bangladesh, Kolkata, 29 November 2015

It is certainly no surprise to see the golden boy of youth level Indian cricket feature in the list of fastest 50’s. The final of the 2015 tri-nation series final saw Sarfaraz ensure an Indian win with a whirlwind 59. Chasing 116, Sarfaraz came in when the Indians were at 3-42 at 6 overs. However, the Indian nerves were eventually calmed as 17-year-old Sarfaraz smashed the Bangladesh attack all over the Eden Gardens, thereby picking up a well-deserved 7 wicket win for his country.Richard Levi (51 off 23) v Scotland, Colombo, 14 February 2006

6. Richard Levi (51 off 23) v Scotland, Colombo, 14 February 2006

Explosive South African opener Richard Levi’s 51 against Scotland in 2006 was nothing short of masterful. Levi remains to be the only South African to feature in this list. Batting at number four, Levi‘s innings consisted of 5 fours and 4 sixes. Levis’s knock apart from the other half centuries scored ensured a 185 run win over the Scots in the Plate quarterfinal in the 2006 U-19 World Cup.Manan Vohra (79 off 35) v Australia, Vishakapatnam, 27 September 2011

5. Manan Vohra (79 off 35) v Australia, Vishakapatnam, 27 September 2011

Manan Vohra’s impressive unbeaten 70 off 35 deliveries came against Australia in the Quadrangular U-19 series in Vishakapatnam. Following an amazing performance by the bowlers, the Indians reached their target of 164 without losing a single wicket in 12 overs. Skipper Unmukt Chand too got into the act with a half-century, but it was Vohra who stole the headlines with a blitzkrieg.

4. Yuvraj Singh (58 off 25) v Australia, Colombo, 25 January 2000

Yuvraj Singh has come a long way since his participation in the U-19 World Cup. However, the U-19 world cup in Sri Lanka in 2000 was where it all began for the southpaw. Building on from a strong opening partnership, a young Yuvraj Singh slammed a 20 ball 50, thus securing India’s passage to the final of the 2000 U-19 World Cup.

3. Suresh Raina (90 off 38) v Scotland, Dhaka, 16 February 2004

Yuvraj Singh’s compatriot Suresh Raina broke Yuvi’s record barely four years later with a magnificent 38 ball 90 against Scotland in Dhaka. His unbeaten 90 included 14 boundaries and 2 massive sixes. the Indians secured a massive 270 run victory over the Scots.

2. Alcindo Holder (56 off 22) v Scotland, Dunedin, 21 January 2002

One of the lesser heard of West Indian players features on no. 2 of the list. With a massive strike rate of 254, Holder powered the Windies to 402-3 on a batting paradise at Dunedin. Holder’s innings included 3 fours and five sixes.

1.Rishab Pant (78 off 24) v Nepal, Dhaka, 1 February 2016

Indian wicket keeper batsman Rishab Pant became the fastest half-centurion in U-19 Cricket with a blitzkrieg knock of 78 off 24 balls. Chasing 170 against Nepal in their final group encounter, Pant slammed a half-century in quick time smashing 9 boundaries and 5 sixes. Pant now also holds the record for the highest strike rate at 325. The Indians secured a 7 wicket win.