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India batter scripts history with fastest fifty in T20s, breaks previous record held by Pakistan
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- India batter scripts history with fastest fifty in T20s, breaks previous record held by Pakistan
India leg-spinner Prema Rawat set a new record in the Senior Women's T20 Trophy, scoring the fastest half-century in women's T20 cricket. Representing Uttarakhand against Hyderabad in the Senior Women's T20 Trophy Elite match at the MCA Cricket Stadium in Gahunje, Pune, on Monday, the 24-year-old reached her fifty in just 14 balls. She bettered the previous record of 15 deliveries, held by Pakistan captain Fatima Sana.
Prema remained unbeaten on 50 off 14 balls, hitting six fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 357.14. Her innings helped Uttarakhand post 187 for two after opting to bat first. She was also named Player of the Match for her all-round performance.
Fatima had set the previous record in May 2026, when she scored a 15-ball fifty against Zimbabwe in Karachi. The Pakistan captain had broken the previous women's T20 International record of 18 balls, jointly held by New Zealand's Sophie Devine, Australia's Phoebe Litchfield and India's Richa Ghosh.
Fatima's knock had also equalled the overall women's T20 record previously held by Marie Kelly and Laura Harris. Prema has now brought that mark down to 14 balls. However, Fatima still holds the record for the fastest fifty in a women's T20 International match.
Uttarakhand's innings also featured contributions from openers Raghvi Bist, who scored 72 off 50 balls, and Kareena, who made 44 off 34 deliveries.
Hyderabad struggled in the chase and failed to build partnerships, finishing at 98 for eight in 20 overs. Uttarakhand won the match by 89 runs.
Prema also contributed with the ball, taking two wickets for 12 runs in her four overs after her record-breaking innings.
While the knock has brought attention to her batting, Prema is primarily known as a leg-spinner. She earned a place in India's 2026 Women's T20 World Cup squad after Shreyanka Patil was ruled out with an ankle injury.
Prema's selection came after her performances for India A. She took eight wickets in five matches during the team's successful Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars campaign. She had also claimed seven wickets in three T20 matches during India A's tour of Australia in 2025.
Prema made her senior international debut in 2026 and has since played seven T20Is for India, taking seven wickets. Her best figures of 3/9 came against Pakistan in the Women's Asia Cup.
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