Mohammad Akram smashes Pakistan’s fastest T20 half-century in 13 balls
By Nawaz Gohar ; A 21-year-old national record was shattered at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium on Friday, as Bahawalpur Region’s opening batsman, Mohammad Akram, etched his name into the history books by scoring the fastest-ever T20 half-century by a Pakistani cricketer.
The historic feat occurred during a National T20 Cup Qualifier match between Bahawalpur Region and Hyderabad Region. Chasing a modest target of 112 runs after Hyderabad was restricted to 111/8, the 24-year-old Akram unleashed a ferocious batting display that left the opposition stunned.
Mohammad Akram reached the 50-run milestone in just 13 deliveries, an extraordinary innings decorated with six boundaries and four towering sixes. His explosive performance ensured that Bahawalpur Region chased down the target in a mere 9.3 overs, securing a dominant victory.
By reaching his fifty in 13 balls, Akram surpassed the long-standing record held by former Pakistan star Imran Nazir. In 2005, playing for the Sialkot Stallions against the Lahore Eagles,
Nazir had smashed a 14-ball half-century, a record that remained untouched for over two decades. With this achievement, the list of the fastest half-centuries by Pakistanis has been reshuffled.
Other notable names on this elite list include Moinuddin, who scored a 15-ball fifty in the 2023-24 season, and Ahmed Shehzad, who achieved the feat in 16 balls during the 2012 Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) final.
Akram’s record-breaking innings has immediately caught the attention of national selectors and fans alike, marking him as one of the most exciting young prospects in Pakistan’s white-ball cricket.
