Nepal's Rohit Paudel Becomes Youngest Male International Half-Centurion, Beats Afridi, Sachin on the List

There is a new sensation in the town, and his name is Rohit Paudel from Nepal. Sixteen years and 146 days old, Rohit, on Saturday, became the youngest male international half-centurion in cricket. Playing against the UAE, the right-handed batsman scored 55 off 58 balls. Meanwhile, the record was previously held by the veteran, Sachin Tendulkar. Aged 16 years and 213 days, Sachin scored a 59 against Pakistan in a Test. While in the ODIs, it was Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi, who slammed a 37-ball hundred against Sri Lanka at the age of 16 years and 217 days.

…Rohit Paudel is not the youngest as well!

Well, this could sound contrary to what has been mentioned so far. But yes, Rohit Paudel is not the youngest international cricketer to complete a fifty at the top level. It was South Africa Women’s cricketer, Johmari Logtenburg, who had hit an ODI and a Test fifty aged 14.

Meanwhile, Nepal is playing the UAE in the second ODI. As Nepal is currently trailing behind 0-1 in the series, their youngest batsman stood up to the occasion and scored a fifty. Rohit Paudel knocked down an age-old record with the highest score for his team in the match.

Also, in August 2018, he became the fourth youngest cricketer to debut in the ODIs. Aged 15 years and 355 days, the rookie batsman represented Nepal against the Netherlands.

He’s the future star!

Rohit Paudel has been touted as the future star of the Nepalese Cricket. Rohit hogged the limelight when he smashed young India bowler, Kamlesh Nagarkoti for 24 runs in five balls during a U-19 ODI in 2016. Not only him, but there is also a superstar in rising from Nepal, Sandeep Lamichhane. An IPL franchise, Delhi Capitals bought the leg-spinner in the previous year. Later, he went onto represent Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League.