Kusal Perera slams fastest half century of ODI World Cup 2023, reaches milestone in 22 balls - WATCH

During the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, Sri Lanka batter Kusal Perera made headlines by achieving the fastest half-century in the tournament. This remarkable feat occurred on Thursday during Sri Lanka's match against New Zealand at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

3 things you need to know

• Kusal Perera smashed the fastest half-century of the ODI World Cup 2023
• The Sri Lankan batter was the only major contributor for his team against New Zealand
• Sri Lanka have already been eliminated from the tournament

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Kusal Perera slams fastest half-century

Kusal Perera reached his fifty in just 22 balls, tying for the second-fastest half-century ever scored by a Sri Lankan in ODI World Cup history. The record for the fastest Sri Lankan half-century in the ODI World Cup is held by Angelo Mathews, who accomplished it in just 20 balls during a match against Scotland in 2015. Dinesh Chandimal is the only other Sri Lankan to achieve a 22-ball half-century in the ODI World Cup.

Prior to Kusal Perera's incredible innings, Travis Head of Australia and Kusal Mendis of Sri Lanka shared the record for the fastest fifties in the current tournament. They both reached their half-centuries in 25 balls during matches against New Zealand and South Africa, respectively.

Unfortunately, Kusal Perera's explosive innings ended when Lockie Ferguson dismissed him after scoring 51 runs off 28 balls, including nine fours and two sixes. The Sri Lankan batting lineup faltered after Kusal Perera's knock. New Zealand eventually managed to dismiss Sri Lanka for a mere 171 runs. 

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New Zealand won the toss and elected to field first in Bengaluru. Trent Boult provided a solid start to the Kiwis as he picked up three wickets. Apart from Perera and Maheesh Theekshana, none of the other batters were able to contribute to Sri Lanka's innings.