Fastest 50 in T20 World Cup
Ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup, we look back at the fastest 50s scored in the tournament's history. Two Indian batsmen are a part of this list.
Over the years, we have seen several explosive batting performances in the T20 World Cup. Among the various records that captivate fans, the fastest fifties and centuries hold a special place, highlighting players who can change the game's complexion in a few balls.
From Yuvraj Singh's unforgettable 12-ball fifty in 2007 to recent fireworks by stars like KL Rahul and Marcus Stoinis, these rapid-fire innings exemplify the excitement and unpredictability of T20 cricket.
As we look back on these batting performances, the anticipation builds for the upcoming T20 World Cup, set to begin on June 2, 2024, in the USA. Fans eagerly await to see if new records will be set and which players will rise to the occasion.
Fastest 50 in T20 World Cup – top list 10
| Player | Team | Balls taken to reach fifty | Final score | Opponents | Year |
| Yuvraj Singh | India | 12 | 58 (16) | England | 2007 |
| Stephan Myburgh | Netherlands | 17 | 63 (23) | Ireland | 2014 |
| Marcus Stoinis | Australia | 17 | 59* (18) | Sri Lanka | 2022 |
| Glenn Maxwell | Australia | 18 | 74 (33) | Pakistan | 2014 |
| Shoaib Malik | Pakistan | 18 | 54* (18) | Scotland | 2021 |
| KL Rahul | India | 18 | 50 (19) | Scotland | 2021 |
| Mohammad Ashraful | Bangladesh | 20 | 61 (27) | West Indies | 2007 |
| Yuvraj Singh | India | 20 | 70 (30) | Australia | 2007 |
| Shadab Khan | Pakistan | 20 | 55 (22) | South Africa | 2022 |
| Litton Das | Bangladesh | 21 | 60 (27) | India | 2022 |
Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh holds the record for the fastest fifty in T20 World Cup history, achieving this feat against England in the 2007 tournament. He reached his half-century in just 12 balls, eventually scoring 58 runs off 16 deliveries. His explosive innings included three fours and seven sixes, six of which were hit consecutively in a single over bowled by Stuart Broad.
Thanks to these sixes, India finished things at 218/4 in 20 overs, with Yuvraj scoring 58 runs at massive strike rate of 362.50. Contributions from openers Gautam Gambhir (58) and Virender Sehwag (68) also helped India reach this score. Chasing 219, England could only score 200/6 in their 20 overs.
Image Credits: @T20WorldCup (X Account)
Marcus Stoinis
Marcus Stoinis delivered a blistering performance with an unbeaten 18-ball 59, leading Australia to a seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the 2022 T20 World Cup. His explosive innings featured six sixes and four boundaries. Stoinis reached his half-century in just 16 balls, the fastest by any Australian in international cricket.
Earlier, Charith Asalanka scored 40 off 45 balls, helping Sri Lanka to 157/6. In response, Australia comfortably chased down the target with 21 balls to spare. Stoinis emerged as Australia's top run-scorer in the 2022 T20 World Cup, accumulating 126 runs in four matches at an average of 42 and an impressive strike rate of 161.53.
Stephan Myburgh
In the 2014 T20 World Cup, the Netherlands chased down 190 in just 13.5 overs against Ireland to qualify for the Super 10s. They needed to chase down the target within 14 overs to qualify for the next round.
Stephan Myburgh rose to the occasion spectacularly, scoring a half-century in just 17 balls. His aggressive knock included seven sixes and four boundaries, resulting in 63 runs off 23 deliveries. Myburgh's explosive performance dismantled the Irish bowling attack and helped Ireland wrap up the game with 37 balls to spare. Myburgh was the third-highest run scorer in the tournament after Virat Kohli and Tom Cooper with 224 runs in seven matches.
Glenn Maxwell
In a 2014 T20 World Cup match against Pakistan, Glenn Maxwell delivered one of the most memorable innings of the tournament, but in a losing cause. Chasing 192 runs, Australia found themselves in trouble at 8-2. Maxwell then played a stunning knock, scoring 50 off just 18 balls, and eventually amassed 74 runs from 33 deliveries, including seven boundaries and six sixes.
Maxwell's knock momentarily shifted the momentum in Australia's favour, but his efforts were not enough to carry the team to victory, as they fell 16 runs short. Nevertheless, Maxwell was a standout performer for Australia in the 2014 T20 World Cup, accumulating 324 runs in six innings with a remarkable strike rate of 182.02.
KL Rahul
KL Rahul holds the record for the fastest fifty by an Indian in the T20 World Cup, achieving this milestone off just 18 balls against Scotland in the 2021 tournament. His explosive innings featured six boundaries and three sixes.
Rahul's rapid half-century helped India chase down a target of 86 runs in just 6.3 overs. Rohit Sharma also contributed significantly, scoring 30 runs, as India cruised to a dominant victory.
Image Credits: @ImTanujSingh (X Account)
Shoaib Malik
Veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik holds the record for Pakistan's fastest fifty in T20 World Cup history, achieving the milestone in just 18 balls against Scotland in the 2021 tournament. Malik's unbeaten 54 included six sixes and one boundary, helping Pakistan to a total of 189 runs.
Pakistan went on to win the match by 72 runs, successfully defending their score. Malik, one of Pakistan's most prolific T20 international players, is the fourth-highest run-scorer for his country in this format. Over 123 matches, he has accumulated 2,423 runs at a strike rate of 125.67.
Mohammad Ashraful
In the 2007 T20 World Cup, then Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful played a crucial, match-winning knock against the West Indies. Ashraful scored 61 off just 27 balls, featuring seven fours and two sixes, with an impressive strike rate of 225.92. His half-century came in just 20 balls, marking his maiden T20 international fifty.
Ashraful's explosive performance helped Bangladesh successfully chase down a target of 165, securing a memorable victory. Notably, Ashraful also holds the records for the fastest fifty in both Test and ODI formats for Bangladesh.
Yuvraj Singh
One of the finest innings by an Indian in T20 World Cup history was played by Yuvraj Singh during the semifinal against Australia in the 2007 T20 World Cup. Yuvraj smashed 70 off just 30 balls, featuring five fours and five sixes, and reached his half-century in a mere 20 balls.
India, having won the toss, posted an impressive total of 188/5. Yuvraj's explosive innings was supported by a valuable contribution from MS Dhoni, who scored 36 off 18 balls. In reply, Australia managed 173/7, falling short of the target. This victory propelled India into the final.
Shadab Khan
In the 2022 T20 World Cup, Shadab Khan delivered an electrifying performance against South Africa, scoring a half-century off just 20 balls and finishing with 52 runs from 22 deliveries. His knock included four sixes and three fours, propelling Pakistan to a total of 185/9.
Shadab's explosive innings was instrumental in Pakistan's 33-run victory, achieved via the DLS method.
Litton Das
Litton Das played a quickfire knock against India in the 2022 tournament. Chasing a target of 185 runs, the opening batsman scored 50 off just 21 balls before rain interrupted play.
He eventually scored 60 off 27 deliveries, featuring seven boundaries and three sixes. Despite his valiant effort, Bangladesh fell short by 5 runs. Litton's blazing knock remains one of the standout performances in Bangladesh's T20 World Cup history.
FAQs
Who has scored the fastest fifty in T20 internationals?
The fastest T20I fifty was scored by Dipendra Singh Airee of Nepal in a match against Mongolia in the Asian Games 2023. He scored a nine-ball half-century, before eventually scoring 52 off just 10 balls laced with eight sixes. The knock included six successive sixes, five of which came in the penultimate over.
Who holds the record for the fastest fifty in T20 cricket?
The record for the fastest 50 in T20 cricket is held by India's Ashutosh Sharma, who achieved the feat in just 11 balls against Arunachal Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2023. He struck six fours and four sixes during his blistering knock.
Which is the second fastest fifty in T20 cricket?
The record for the second-fastest fifty in T20 cricket is jointly held by Chris Gayle and Hazratullah Zazai, both of whom achieved it in 12 balls each. Yuvraj Singh also scored a 12-ball 50, but that was achieved in a T20 international game.
Who holds the record for the fastest fifty in IPL?
Yashasvi Jaiswal holds the record for the fastest 50 in IPL history. He brought up his half century in just 13 balls against KKR in IPL 2023.
Who has scored the fastest 50 in the PSL?
Peshawar Zalmi's Kamran Akmal scored the fastest 50 in PSL history by achieving the milestone in just 17 deliveries against Karachi Kings in the 2nd eliminator in 2018. He smacked 5 fours and 8 sixes, eventually scoring 77 runs off 27 balls.
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Umaima Saeed is a professional sports writer whose articles have been featured in several leading websites. She writes long-form content on sports, particularly cricket. She has a penchant for telling human-interest stories. Umaima has contributed articles on cricket to more than a dozen publications, both in print and online.