WATCH: Hazratullah Zazai equals record for fastest T20 half-century with six sixes in Afghanistan Premier League match

Kabul Zwanan joins Chris Gayle and Yuvraj Singh in needing only 12 balls to reach 50, but Kabul Zwanan lose match to Balkh Legends

Hazratullah Zazai said it felt “surreal” to hit six sixes in an over and equal a record held by Chris Gayle – in a game his hero was playing in.

The Afghan opener reached 50 from 12 balls playing for Kabul Zwanan against Balkh Legends in the Afghanistan Premier League in Sharjah on Sunday.

That levelled the record for the fastest T20 half-century, a feat previously achieved by Yuvraj Singh and Gayle.

Despite Zazai’s ferocious hitting, Kabul lost the game, and Gayle was named man of the match for the 48-ball 80 he scored in Balkh’s total of 245.

No matter the result, the fixture will forever be remembered for the six successive sixes Hazratullah hit in Abdullah Mazari’s lone over, which eventually went for 37 as he also bowled a wide.

“It is a proud moment for me,” Hazratullah said. “It is a very enjoyable moment for me that my name is now linked to so many big names of the game, who are really legends of the game.

“I want to keep enjoying my cricket always and will keep striving towards improving.

"It was a surreal moment for me to perform in front of my hero [Chris Gayle].

"I was just trying to play my natural game and did not in any way think of outshining anyone.”

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Read more:

Afghanistan Premier League: Hazratullah Zazai hits six sixes to equal record for fastest T20 half century

Picture gallery: Cameron Delport ruins Chris Gayle's Afghanistan Premier League debut

The Cricket Pod: How Abu Dhabi T20 and Afghanistan Premier League can grow

Paul Radley: Signs of promise for Afghanistan Premier League despite slow start

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