World Record: Kamindu Makes History With 8th Consecutive Half-Century

Sri Lankan batter Kamindu Mendis set a huge world record on Thursday (September 26) at the Galle International Cricket Stadium during the first day of play in the second Test match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand as he continued the incredible start to his Test career.

Kamindu walked out to bat at number five and helped Sri Lanka built on the solid foundation set by centurion Dinesh Chandimal after the hosts won the toss and chose to bat first. Mendis reached his half-century in just 52 balls during the final over of the day as Sri Lanka walked back to the dressing room in a commanding position with 306 runs on the board.

He has become the first player in Test cricket history to score a half-century in eight consecutive Test matches after his Test debut. The 25-year-old has broken the world record held by Saud Shakeel. Remarkably, the Pakistan batter had achieved the feat last year only. Previously, Sunil Gavaskar, Basil Butcher, Saeed Ahmed, and Bert Sutcliffe had all hit half-centuries in six consecutive Test matches after their debut.