New Delhi: Jacob Bethell went berserk as he slammed the joint-fastest fifty in a T20 World Cup knockout match during his side’s semifinal clash against India in the T20 World Cup 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday. Bethell slammed a fifty off just 19 balls, equalling New Zealand opener Finn Allen’s record.
The left-hander also notched up the fastest fifty by an England batter in T20 World Cup history, breaking a record held jointly by Jos Buttler and Eoin Morgan, who scored fifties of 25 balls apiece. Bethell went all guns blazing to provide England with impetus in their massive 254-run chase against India in the semifinal after a top-order collapse.
In pursuit of the record target, England got off to a poor start as they lost opener Phil Salt cheaply on 5, before skipper Harry Brook was sent packing cheaply on just 7 off 6 balls. Bethell arrived at no.4 with England in a tight spot at 38/2 in the 5th over and played a sensational knock to bail his team out of pressure.
Bethell smashed the Indian bowlers all around the park to help England capitalise on the Powerplay and race to his fifty off just 19 balls. He equalled Allen’s record for the fastest fifty in a T20 World Cup knockout match. The Kiwi opener achieved the feat during his stunning 33-ball unbeaten hundred against South Africa in the first semifinal of the T20 World Cup 2026 on Wednesday.
Fastest fifty in a T20 World Cup knockout game:
19 balls: Jacob Bethell vs India (2026)
19 balls: Finn Allen vs South Africa (2026)
20 balls: Yuvraj Singh vs Australia (2007)
22 balls: Mike Hussey vs Pakistan (2010)