Ranji Trophy: Meghalaya batter scripts history, breaks all-time record with explosive 11-ball fifty against Arunachal Pradesh

Meghalaya batter Akash Kumar caused carnage as soon as he stepped out to bat during the second day of the Ranji Trophy clash against Arunachal Pradesh. The batter tonked eight massive sixes and went on to complete his half-century after facing only 11 deliveries as Meghalaya crossed the 600-run mark before eventually declaring on 628/6.

Akash took the crease after Meghalaya had lost Rahul Dalal on 144 and were down to 576/6. However, the former's 52-run stand with Swastic Chettri saw Meghalaya finish off their innings on a high. Akash maintained a strike-rate of well-over 300 during his short but highly impactful innings. He showed no mercy to the already exhausted bowlers and smacked them around the park for fun.

Akash breaks massive first-class record

This explosive knock saw Akash break the all-time record for the fastest fifty ever scored in first-class cricket. The record was previously held by Wayne White, who took 12 deliveries to bring up his fifty for Leicestershire against Essex in 2012. The half-century saw Akash pick up from where he left off in Meghalaya's previous clash in Ranji Trophy against Bihar. Notably, he had played an unbeaten knock of 60 as Meghalaya posted a mammoth total of 407/7 before declaring.

Meghalaya's domination with the bat

Meanwhile, the Meghalaya batters had been on top of Arunachal Pradesh's bowling attack since the beginning of the match. Opener Arpit Bhatewara scored an incredible double-hundred while skipper Kishan Lyngdoh also contributed immensely with his knock of 119. Then, Rahul Dalal played a stunning knock of 144 before Akash's fireworks saw Meghalaya post a humongous first-inning total.

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On the other hand, Akash has a decent first-class record in both the batting and bowling departments. Having played 30 matches in the format so far, the 25-year-old has scored a total of 503 runs and also has 87 wickets under his name. Though the all-rounder has so far been more effective with the ball, he has been impressing with the bat as well in the ongoing Ranji Trophy campaign.