New kid in the block, Colin Munro

But on Sunday, another Kiwi announced his arrival in the shortest format with this powerful batting, when Sri Lanka was demolished by Colin Munro, who bludgeoned the second-fastest half-century in T20s.

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Pankaj Samantray
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New kid in the block, Colin Munro

It was a huge jolt to the upcoming World T20, when New Zealand’s skipper and flamboyant batsman Brendon McCullum announced his retirement. McCullum is one of the best in the business and can turn the match at point. His retirement left a huge void in New Zealand and World cricket.

But on Sunday, another Kiwi announced his arrival in the shortest format with this powerful batting, when Sri Lanka was demolished by Colin Munro, who bludgeoned the second-fastest half-century in T20s.

In front of 17,000 crowd in Auckland, the left handed Kiwi batsman blasted Sri Lankan bowlers to all parts of the ground and was unbeaten at 50 of 14 balls hitting seven sixes and one four. Colin Munro's innings never made us feel the absence of Brendon McCullum. 

His 14-ball half-century is only slower than Yuvraj Singh's 12-ball fifty against England, in the 2007 World T20.

It will be a powerful batting display in upcoming World T20 as most of the young players are playing T20 leagues across the world.

Earlier in the day, Martin Guptill scored New Zealand's fastest half century in just 19 balls, but it took just 20 mins for Munro to eclipse it. 

Guptill was the only wicket to fall in the New Zealand innings, out for 63 off 25 balls with six fours and five sixes, while Munro clouted seven sixes and one four.