International cricketer savages club rivals with world record display

Former New Zealand Twenty20 specialist Ronnie Hira has given Kiwi cricket a stunning reminder of what he can do, in an extraordinary record-equalling display.

The 34-year-old played 15 T20 internationals for New Zealand between 2012-13 but has been on the outer for years, recently missing out on a contract with the Auckland Aces in this season's domestic T20 tournament.

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Hira's snub came after he helped the team reach the final of last year's Super Smash competition.

The veteran allrounder has just given selectors a taste of what they're missing out on after an extraordinary display for North Shore against local rivals Takapuna.

Hira belted a half century in world record-equalling fashion, requiring just 12 balls to notch the milestone.

Only four other players have matched that 12-ball feat in the history of T20 cricket with Chris Gayle (twice), Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Shahzad and Hazratullah Zazai holding the joint-record for the fastest fifties of all time.

Hira finished with 73 runs off 22 balls in a swashbuckling knock that contained 7 sixes and 7 fours - in just 20 minutes.

“It could have been a few balls less — I let two go, one down leg side and one down the off,” Hira told the NZ Herald about his batting blitz.

“They were trying to make a game of it but were still using their best spinners and bowling to a plan.”

Hira also grabs insane bowling figures

It wasn't just with the bat that the allrounder starred, as Hira also picked up 14 wickets in the two-day match that his side won comfortably.

Hira grabbed a remarkable eight wickets in the second innings to finish with match figure of 14/78 from 43 overs.

Now an amateur cricketer, Hira works in marketing and e-commerce and has a four-year-old child with rife Roshney, and a baby due in June.

While professional cricket appears to have passed him by, Hira will always have his astonishing club display for North Shore to remember.

“North Shore is a proud club with a lot of history - some members said it was one of the finest team performances, full stop,” Hira said of his performance.

“Takapuna have had it over us for the last 10 years but we’ve had a couple of wins this season which we’re very happy about.”

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