In a breathtaking display of power-hitting, England’s Sam Billings etched his name into Pakistan Super League (PSL) history by smashing the fastest fifty for Lahore Qalandars, reaching the milestone in just 19 balls against Quetta Gladiators in Rawalpindi. The explosive innings, part of the 10th edition of the HBL PSL, surpassed Umar Akmal’s previous record and propelled Qalandars to a commanding 79-run victory, marking their first win of the season.
Billings’ onslaught came at a critical juncture after Qalandars faced early pressure, losing Mohammad Naeem in the third over. Partnering with Fakhar Zaman, who anchored the innings with a composed 67 off 30 balls, Billings unleashed a ferocious counterattack. His 19-ball fifty, laced with four sixes and four boundaries, included a dramatic last-ball six that sealed his record-breaking feat. The Englishman’s fearless approach transformed the game, helping Qalandars post a formidable 219/6.
Reflecting on his performance, Billings said, “It’s an honor to play in the PSL, and breaking a record like this feels special. The crowd’s energy pushed me to go harder.” His knock outshone previous Qalandars’ benchmarks set by Akmal, Zaman, Chris Lynn, and Sikandar Raza, all of whom had scored 22-ball fifties.
Quetta Gladiators, tasked with chasing 220, crumbled under pressure from Qalandars’ disciplined bowling attack. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Asif Afridi struck early, reducing Gladiators to 9/3. Despite brief resistance from Kusal Mendis (28 off 14) and Rilee Rossouw (44 off 19), Haris Rauf’s fiery spell and the spinners’ control ensured Gladiators were bowled out for 140. Abrar Ahmed and Akeal Hosein claimed two wickets each for Quetta, but Billings’ late surge proved decisive.
The victory was a morale booster for Lahore Qalandars, who had suffered an eight-wicket defeat against Islamabad United in their opener. For Gladiators, the loss halted their momentum after an 80-run win over Peshawar Zalmi. Social media buzzed with praise for Billings, with fans calling his knock “a game-changer” and “T20 batting at its finest.”
Billings’ record-breaking performance not only highlights his adaptability to subcontinental conditions but also cements his reputation as a versatile T20 star. As PSL X heats up, his fiery fifty sets a high bar for batsmen aiming to leave their mark on the tournament.
