"50 off just 13 balls"- Steve Stolk smacks Rishabh Pant's record in ICC Under 19 World Cup 2024

South Africa’s young batter Steve Stolk has broken a popular record of Rishabh Pant in the ongoing Under 19 World Cup 2024. Steve Stolk has slammed the fastest century in the history of the Under-19 World Cup. Steve Stolk achieved the feat during the South Africa vs Scotland clash of U-19 World Cup 2024.

The South Africa vs Scotland encounter took place on Saturday, January 27. South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl against the European team. Batting first in the match, Scotland piled up a decent total of 269-9.

However, South Africa chased down the target with ease by 7 wickets with the help of hard-hitting opener Steve Stolk. His fast-pace batting was almost enough to grab a victory in the match for South Africans.

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Steve Stolk Smacks Rishabh Pant’s Record Of Fastest Fifty

During the encounter against Scotland, the 17-year-old batter Steve Stolk reached a half-century off just 13 balls to script history. During his knock, Proteas opener slammed 7 boundaries and 8 sixes. Hitting 86 runs off 37 balls, Stolk registered a superb strike rate of 232+. He also led his team to victory while chasing.

Steve Stolk broke Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant’s record of the fastest fifty in the U19 World Cup. The Indian star achieved the feat off 24 balls in the 2016 edition of the U19 World Cup. Pant slammed a half-century off just 24 balls during an encounter against Bangladesh in the tournament.

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South Africa Outplay Scotland To Reach Top Of Points Table

Talking about the match, Jamie Dunk smacked a stupendous 90-run knock for Scotland in 1st innings. Scotland skipper Owen Gould mustered 97 runs. Losing 9 wickets, the Scottish team reached a respectable total of 269-9 in 50 overs.

For South Africa U19, Riley Norton hunted 3 wickets while Kwena Maphaka picked 2 scalps. During the chase, Steve Stolk set the field on fire with 37-ball-86. Later, Dewan Marais and David Teeger added unbeaten 80* and 43* respectively to drive Proteas to a powerful victory by 7 wickets.

For Scotland, Nikhil Koteeswaran (2 wickets) and Adi Hegde (1 wicket) were the only successful bowlers. With the victory against Scotland, South Africa also reached the top spot of Group B points table.

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Scotland Finish In Last Spot In Group B

Notably, winning the match within 27 overs against Scotland helped South Africa to grab the best net run rate than every other opponent in their group. Out of 3 games, South Africa has won 2 matches and lost 1. With 4 points, they enjoy the peak position in their group after the group stage.

West Indies and England also have 4 points table. While West Indies take the 2nd spot, England take the 3rd spot. Scotland failed to win any game and ended in the last spot in the Group B points table of the Under 19 World Cup 2024.