Colin Munro blasted New Zealand's fastest Twenty20 half century to surpass a mark set by Martin Guptill earlier in the innings as the hosts swept their two-match series against Sri Lanka with a nine-wicket win in Auckland last week.

The mayhem in the second T20 is likely to send chills down the spine of Pakistan, who are New Zealand's next opponent in a T20 series.

Guptill first rewrote the record books when he took just 19 deliveries to bring up his eighth half century in the shortest form of the game before he was eventually dismissed for 63 after smashing six boundaries and five sixes.

His mark was then eclipsed by Munro some 20 minutes later when the left hander hit his seventh six to take New Zealand to 147 for one, the hosts chasing down Sri Lanka's 142-8 total at Eden Park in just 10 overs.

Munro's half century came off 14 balls, the second fastest in international cricket behind India's Yuvraj Singh (12 balls). He hit one four along with his seven maximums to finish unbeaten on exactly 50.

The swashbuckling New Zealand side takes on Pakistan in a three-match T20 contest starting January 15. The series will be followed by three ODIs with the contest promising to produce a few more fireworks and perhaps some headaches for bowling attacks.


New Zealand v Pakistan schedule:

Jan 15: 1st T20, Eden Park, Auckland

Jan 17: 2nd T20, Seddon Park, Hamilton

Jan 22: 3rd T20, Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Jan 25: 1st ODI, Basin Reserve, Wellington

Jan 28: 2nd ODI, McLean Park, Napier

Jan 31: 3rd ODI, Eden Park, Auckland

Opinion

Editorial

Pahalgam aftermath
24 Apr, 2026

Pahalgam aftermath

A YEAR after at least 26 people were killed in a terrorist attack in occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam area, ties ...
Real estate power
24 Apr, 2026

Real estate power

THE latest round of land valuation revisions by the FBR for tax purposes signifies a familiar pattern that ...
Ad astra
Updated 24 Apr, 2026

Ad astra

AMONG the many developments this month that Pakistanis can take pride in is the news that one of their own will soon...
Ceasefire extension
Updated 23 Apr, 2026

Ceasefire extension

THOUGH the US has extended the Iran ceasefire — thanks largely to effective Pakistani diplomacy to prevent sliding...
Climate & livelihoods
23 Apr, 2026

Climate & livelihoods

THE latest ILO report estimates that around 3.3m jobs may have been affected by the 2025 floods — significantly...
Virtual courts
23 Apr, 2026

Virtual courts

THOUGH routine activities in Islamabad have been greatly hindered amidst security preparations for another round of...