Surat: In a remarkable display of batting, Akash Kumar Choudhary from Meghalaya set a new world record for the fastest fifty in First-Class cricket, scoring a stunning 11-ball half-century during a Ranji Trophy match against Arunachal Pradesh. This historic feat took place on Sunday, as Akash's explosive innings included eight consecutive sixes, a first in the format's history.

The 25-year-old right-hander came to bat at No. 8 with Meghalaya already in a strong position at 576 for 6. He began his innings with a couple of singles before launching into an extraordinary assault on the bowlers. In the 126th over, bowled by Limar Dabi, Akash hit six sixes in a row, followed by two more in the next over, bringing his total to eight consecutive maximums. His half-century not only surpassed the previous record of 12 balls set by England's Wayne White in 2012 but also redefined the standards of power-hitting in red-ball cricket.

Before this match, Akash had faced challenges in his form, managing only two fifties in his last ten innings. However, his recent performance against Bihar hinted at a resurgence, which he confirmed with this record-breaking innings. He finished his innings unbeaten on 50 runs off just 14 balls, contributing to Meghalaya's declared total of 628 for 6.

Akash's achievement places him alongside cricket legends Sir Garfield Sobers and Ravi Shastri, who are the only other players to have hit six sixes in an over in first-class cricket. Sobers achieved this in 1968, while Shastri did so in 1985. Akash's remarkable performance not only highlights his talent but also brings attention to the emerging cricketing prowess from India's Northeast region. His innings has set a new benchmark in the Ranji Trophy, showcasing the exciting potential of Indian cricket.