South African Sensation Steve Stolk Shatters Rishabh Pant's U19 Men's Cricket World Cup Record
- Posted on January 28, 2024
- Sports
- By Arijit Dutta
- 210 Views
South Africa's Steve Stolk made cricket history in the U19 Men's Cricket World Cup, crushing Rishabh Pant's record with a blistering 13-ball fifty against Scotland. Stolk's explosive innings of 86 off 37 balls, including seven fours and eight sixes, propelled South Africa to victory, setting a new standard in the tournament.
In
a sensational display of power-hitting, South
African opener Steve Stolk has rewritten the record books at the U19 Men's
Cricket World Cup, held at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom. On January 27, Stolk's
whirlwind 13-ball fifty demolished the seven-year-old record set by Rishabh
Pant. Pant had achieved an 18-ball fifty in the 2016 U19 World Cup in
Bangladesh.
The historic feat unfolded during a Group B fixture, with South Africa chasing a target of 270 against Scotland. Stolk's assault began in the second over, where he dispatched three boundaries against Qasim Khan, accumulating 12 runs off six balls. Undeterred, Stolk unleashed his beast mode in the third over, smashing four consecutive sixes and ending with a four and another six.
Stolk's
remarkable innings of 86 off 37 balls, featuring seven fours and eight sixes,
boasted a staggering strike rate of 232.43. Although he departed in the 11th
over, his departure brought no respite for Scotland. Dewan Marais (80* off 50)
and David Teeger (43* off 38) continued the onslaught, steering South Africa to
victory in just 27 overs.
The
Proteas' dominance showcased their batting prowess, with Marais's spectacular
innings contributing to the comprehensive win. His 80* off 50 deliveries
included eight fours and three sixes, maintaining a stunning strike rate of
160.00. Stolk's extraordinary performance has not only etched his name in U19
World Cup history but also solidified South Africa's standing in the ongoing
tournament.