Moeen Ali smashes fastest T20I fifty by an Englishman, helps host’s post mammoth total vs SA

England all rounder Moeen Ali hit the fastest half-century by an English batter while playing against South Africa on Wednesday, 27 July. Ali went on a rampage alongside Jonny Bairstow and hit his fifty in just 16 balls, soaring the English total to 234 runs, their second highest in the T20I format of the game.

Ali came into bat in the second half of the innings, and did not waste much time before getting away. SA were punished due to their poor catching abilities as they dropped Jonny Bairstow, who then went onto hit 90 runs in just 53 balls.

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England captain Jost Buttler had said at the toss that it was going to be a good surface as Gloucestershire, and it looked like it when the captain himself began on a positive note. While his stay lasted short, 22 off 7 balls to be specific, but he had given an idea of what was to come.

The left hander surpassed his own teammate Liam Livingstone, who had achieved the record in 17 balls against Pakistan in 2021.

Ali is now joint fourth-fastest, in a list that is still dominated by Yuvraj Singh, when he put England to the swords and brought up his fifty in just 12 balls.

England, thanks to their batting exploits, scored 234 runs in the first innings, which should be okay against the South African side. Medium pacer Andile Phehlukwayo was the worst bowler on the day, giving away 63 runs off his four overs. He had fine figures in three overs, but in his final over of the game, he was hit for five sixes, three from Moeen Ali and two from Bairstow.

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