Sanju Samson produced a composed half-century in the T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand, becoming only the third cricketer to score fifties in both semi-final and final.
He joined Pakistan’s former captain Shahid Afridi, who achieved the feat in 2009, and India’s Virat Kohli, who repeated it during the 2014 tournament.
Samson’s measured innings followed an explosive start by Abhishek Sharma, but the wicketkeeper batter appeared comfortable at the crease and never seemed forced despite steady scoring throughout the innings.
| Player | Team | Tournament | Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | ICC T20 World Cup 2009 | Scored fifties in both the semi-final and final |
| Virat Kohli | India | ICC T20 World Cup 2014 | Scored fifties in both the semi-final and final |
| Sanju Samson | India | ICC T20 World Cup 2026 | Scored fifties in both the semi-final and final |
Calm Approach After Explosive Start
Earlier, India had surged to a record 92 without loss during the powerplay, the joint-highest total in a six-over phase in any men’s T20 World Cup match.
Abhishek Sharma led that assault with a remarkable 52 from 21 balls, including the fastest half-century of this World Cup and the quickest ever in a knockout match.
However, Samson adopted a calmer approach, reaching his fifty in 33 deliveries while carefully maintaining the scoring tempo and allowing India’s innings to continue progressing steadily.
By the eleventh over, India had advanced to 137 for one wicket, with Samson still at the crease after guiding the innings following Abhishek’s early dismissal.
Afridi’s Legacy and Samson’s Achievement
The achievement places Samson in rare company alongside Afridi, whose influential performances helped Pakistan lift the T20 World Cup title in 2009 with crucial contributions in both knockout matches.
Afridi’s semi-final and final fifties in that tournament became defining moments of Pakistan’s campaign, setting a benchmark for decisive batting performances under pressure during cricket’s biggest tournaments.
Samson’s innings in Ahmedabad now echoes that rare accomplishment, placing him among a small group of players who have delivered match-defining batting performances in both the semi-final and final.
