India batswoman Smriti Mandhana on Wednesday hammered the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian woman as she notched up her half-century in just 24 balls against New Zealand women in Wellington.
Mandhana also bettered her own record en-route to her fifty. In 2018, Mandhana struck a 25-ball half-century against England women, which was at that time the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian woman.
Harmanpreet Kaur is third on the list with a 29-ball fifty which came against Sri Lanka women in 2018. Meanwhile, the fourth and fifth spot also belong to the 22-year-old Mandhana (30-ball 50 against Australia women in 2018 and 31-ball 50 against Australia women in 2018 WT20).
New Zealand's Sophie Devine is top on the list of fastest fifties in women's T20I cricket. She hit an 18-ball fifty against India women in Bangalore in 2005.
Mandhana's fiery knock (34-ball 58) on Wednesday, however, couldn't power India women home as they lost the first T20I against New Zealand women by 23 runs.
Earlier, led by Sophie Devine's 48-ball 62, the New Zealand women posted 159 runs on the board, which proved too good for the Indian women, who were all-out for 136.
Medium pacer Lea Tahuhu led the charge for New Zealand women by picking up 3 wickets and was backed by spinners Leigh Kasperek (2/25) and Amelia Kerr (2/28).
