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ILT20 2025: Avishka Fernando smashes fastest fifty in ILT20 history
Follow UsThe Sri Lankan batter brought up his fifty off just 16 balls in what was an outrageous batting performance
History was scripted at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on January 17 (Friday) as Sri Lanka’s Avishka Fernando smashed the fastest fifty in the competition’s history, getting to the landmark on just his 16th ball.
In one of the craziest onslaughts in ILT20 history, the right-hander, walking in at No.3 as a super-sub, blasted six fours and eight humongous sixes to finish with 81 off 27 balls, ending with a strike rate of 300.00.
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Avishka’s onslaught helped the Sharjah Warriorz chase down the 202 set by Dubai Capitals with ease, with the Tim Southee-led side getting to the target with 11 balls to spare.
Fastest fifties in ILT20 history
16 balls - Avishka Fernando (SW) vs DC in 2025
18 balls - Azam Khan (DV) vs GG in 2024
19 balls - Kieron Pollard (MIE) vs DV in 2023
19 balls - Tom Kohler-Cadmore (SW) vs DC in 2023
Avishka, who played in the T20I series against New Zealand at the start of the year, began his innings with a nonchalant maximum off the bowling off Olly Stone. He then went 6, 4, 4 a couple of overs later against Gulbadin Naib to race to 24 off just eight balls.
A pair of boundaries off Sikandar Raza and Akif Raja later, the 26-year-old sped to 40 off 13 balls.
The right-hander’s next two scoring shots were both sixes as he first thumped Obed McCoy for a maximum and then hit his countryman Dushmantha Chameera for a biggie to bring up the fastest fifty in the competition’s history.