1st T20I: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scripts history with record 18-ball fifty as India beat Zimbabwe

Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi produced another breathtaking display, smashing the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian and becoming the youngest player to score an international half-century as India cruised to a seven-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the opening T20I at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday.

The emphatic chase also handed Shreyas Iyer his first victory as India’s T20I captain after a difficult start to his tenure, with India taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi tears into Zimbabwe attack

Chasing a modest target of 126, the 15-year-old wasted little time in stamping his authority on the contest.

He hammered Richard Ngarava for two towering sixes and a boundary in the second over before continuing his assault against Brad Evans and Blessing Muzarabani, finding the boundary at will with fearless strokeplay.

Sooryavanshi raced to his maiden international fifty in just 18 balls, a knock featuring four fours and four sixes, rewriting the record books in the process.

His innings ended immediately after reaching the milestone when he top-edged Ngarava to deep third, but by then India had all but sealed the contest.

Ishan, Iyer complete comfortable chase

While Abhishek Sharma departed cheaply for one, Ishan Kishan ensured the momentum never dipped with a fluent 35.

Captain Shreyas Iyer remained unbeaten on 27, while Tilak Varma finished on five not out as India reached 126/3 in just 13.2 overs, sealing victory with 40 balls to spare.

Indian bowlers set up commanding win

Earlier, India’s bowlers produced a disciplined performance to restrict Zimbabwe to 125/7.

Mayank Yadav (2/18) and Prince Yadav (2/19) led the attack with two wickets each, while Zimbabwe never managed to build sustained partnerships despite Wessly Madhevere’s 39 and an unbeaten 27 from Tadiwanashe Marumani.

The modest total proved well below par as India’s batters made light work of the chase.