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It was a day to remember in Surat as Akash Kumar Choudhary of Meghalaya produced a record-breaking 11-ball half-century, the fastest ever in First-Class cricket, during their Ranji Trophy Plate Group match against Arunachal Pradesh.

The right-handed batter turned the contest into pure spectacle, eclipsing England’s Wayne White’s 12-ball record set for Leicestershire against Essex in 2012. Akash’s explosive display of clean striking not only smashed a world record but also left the crowd and players stunned.

At 576 for 6, Akash walked in hammered eight sixes in succession, including six in one over. When the innings was declared at 628 for 6, his unbeaten 50 from 14 balls was one of the highlights.

Akash’s 11-ball blitz isn’t just a Ranji Trophy record, it’s the fastest half-century ever recorded in First-Class cricket anywhere in the world. It surpassed all previous efforts, including Bandeep Singh’s 15-ball effort for Jammu & Kashmir.

Akash’s First-Class career began in 2019 when he debuted against Nagaland, followed by appearances in List A and T20 cricket for Meghalaya against Sikkim and Gujarat later that year. Akash’s domestic run hasn’t been without its challenges. In the ten innings leading up to this one, he had managed a couple of fifties but also suffered a frustrating spell of five matches where he couldn’t cross 20.

A half-century in Meghalaya’s previous fixture against Bihar had signalled a return to form. Akash also took a wicket.

Fastest fifties in First-Class Cricket