Vaibhav Sooryavanshi breaks Sachin Tendulkar's record with fifty against Zimbabwe

HARARE: India's 15-year-old opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on Thursday etched his name in history as he became the youngest to score a half-century in international men's cricket.

Sooryavanshi achieved the milestone during India's seven-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the first T20I of the three-match away series, played here at the Harare Sports Club earlier today, as he registered his maiden half-century off just 18 balls.

Aged just 15 years and 118 days, Sooryavanshi surpassed India's batting great Sachin Tendulkar, who was 16 years and 213 days old when he registered his maiden international half-century in the Faisalabad Test against Pakistan in 1989.

Pakistan's legendary all-rounder and former captain Shahid Afridi is now ranked third on the elusive list as he breached the fifty-run barrier for the first time in international cricket at an age of 16 years and 214 days in the historic ODI against Sri Lanka in 1996, which also saw him register the then-fastest century in the format.

The list features another Pakistani, Mushtaq Muhammad, who achieved the feat at an age of 17 years and 39 days, while Bangladesh legend Mohammad Ashraful round up the top five as his maiden half-century came at 17 years and 63 days of age.

Youngest to score half-century in international cricket

• Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (India) – 15 years and 118 days

• Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 16 years and 213 days

• Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – 16 years and 214 days

• Mushtaq Muhammad (Pakistan) – 17 years and 39 days

• Mohammad Ashraful (Bangladesh) – 17 years and 63 days

For the unversed, Sooryavanshi is also the youngest cricketer to make international debut for India, earning his maiden cap at an age of just 15 years and 99 days.

The record was previously held by Tendulkar, who made his first international appearance for India against traditional rivals Pakistan in December 1989 at the age of 16 years and 205 days.