NZ Debutant Soars Past Ishan Kishan and Krunal Pandya To Etch Fastest Fifty In ODIs

Krunal Pandya, Muhammad Abbas and Ishan Kishan [Source: @LoyalSachinFan/X]

Muhammad Abbas scripted history on his ODI debut, clubbing a 24-ball fifty, the fastest by any debutant, to propel New Zealand to 344-9 against Pakistan on March 29. The 21-year-old all-rounder, son of former Pakistani domestic bowler Azhar Abbas, seized his chance in an understrength Black Caps side missing key players due to the IPL. 

Abbas' explosive innings headlined a match featuring five debutants, including teammate Nick Kelly and Pakistan’s Akif Javed, Mohammad Ali, and Usman Khan.

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Muhammad's Assault Mounts New Zealand's Total

Walking in at No. 6, Abbas launched his assault immediately, racing to 12 off his first six deliveries. He then unleashed a relentless barrage, plundering 40 runs off his next 18 balls. 

The youngster hammered three sixes and three fours during the carnage, including a 19-run rampage in the 49th over against Naseem Shah, whom he struck for two sixes and a four. Abbas finally fell to Mohammad Ali on the innings’ final ball, finishing with 52 off 26 deliveries.

Muhammad Abbas Topples Indian Stars To Set New Record!

The knock shattered Krunal Pandya’s previous debut record of a 26-ball fifty, set against England in 2021, and marked only the third instance of a sub-30-ball half-century by a first-time ODI player. 

Abbas later capped his dream debut with the ball, dismissing Mohammad Rizwan for 30 with his left-arm medium pace. 

His all-round heroics anchored New Zealand’s commanding total, though Pakistan’s chase was curtailed by rain at 232-8 in 41 overs. The match served as a glimpse of Abbas’ potential, blending power-hitting and composed bowling on cricket’s biggest stage.

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