Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Meghalaya's Abhay Negi slams fastest fifty
Meghalaya all-rounder Abhay Negi impressed at large by hitting the bowlers to all parts of the ground as he slammed the fastest fifty in the history of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy against Mizoram on Sunday. Abhay amassed a 14-ball half-century and went on to break the record of Robin Uthappa in India's domestic T20 tournament. Here are the details.
Negi equals KL Rahul's record of fastest fifty in India
With this fifty, Negi equaled Kl Rahul's record of fastest fifty in T20 cricket in India. Rahul had managed to blast the fastest fifty in the Indian Premier League (IPL) history in the match against Delhi Capitals in Mohali in 2018. Meanwhile, Yuvraj Singh's 12-ball fifty in the ICC World T20 in 2007 is still the fastest fifty in the format by an India.
How did the match pan out?
Meghalaya amassed 207/4 in 20 overs. Abhay was unbeaten on 50 runs in just 15 deliveries. His knock was studded with two fours and six sixes. The side was 149/4 at the end of 17 overs. However Negi came in and changed Meghalaya's fortunes. Ravi Teja scored an unbeaten 53. Mizoram managed 182/2 in the chase. Taruwar Kohli's 90 went in vain.
Key info about Abhay Negi
With the IPL 2020 auction to be held next month, Abhay's scintillating knock will surely raise a few eyebrows. The promising all-rounder could invite bidding wars between various franchises. Born in Uttarakhand, the 27-year-old has played for Meghalaya and Tripura. The promising cricketer made his First-Class debut against Shillong in November last year and his T20 debut versus Bengal in Ranchi in January 2018.
Meghalaya had stunned Mumbai as well
Recently, Meghalaya stunned Mumbai in their Group D clash. Mumbai rode on Jay Bista's 44 to post 157/6 in the allotted 20 overs. Negi had claimed two scalps. In reply, Meghalaya were 41/3 at one stage. They rose on Ravi Teja's unbeaten 61 and R Sanjay Yadav's 55 as the pair added 92 runs in quick time to tilt the tie in their favor.
