Fastest 50 in T20 Cricket History

While centuries often take the limelight, it’s the half-centuries that wield significant influence, particularly in the shortest format of cricket. The importance of a well-crafted fifty in T20 cricket, where every delivery holds value, cannot be overstated. 

In a format where matches can sway in a matter of overs, a timely half-century often serves as the cornerstone for building innings or chasing down targets effectively.

So which batsman has scored the fastest fifty in T20s? Let’s find out. 

Top 5 Fastest 50 in T20 Cricket

Dipendra Singh Airee 

In a sheer display of power hitting, Nepal’s Dipendra Singh Airee etched his name in cricket history by smashing the fastest fifty in T20 cricket during a match against Mongolia at the Asian Games 2023. Airee’s astonishing nine-ball blitzkrieg not only shattered records but also set the cricketing world abuzz with awe. Airee blazed his way to an unbeaten 52 runs off just 10 balls, leaving spectators and opponents alike spellbound. What truly set Airee’s performance apart was his incredible eight sixes. The highlight of his record-breaking innings was six successive sixes, with five of them coming in the penultimate over. 

Read More: Fastest Centuries in T20 Cricket

Ashutosh Sharma 

Ashutosh Sharma, a rising star in the IPL 2024, made headlines with his impactful performance as the Impact Substitute for Punjab Kings in their recent match against Gujarat Titans. In a nail-biting encounter that went down to the wire, Sharma’s timely contribution guided his team to a thrilling last-ball victory. 

However, Sharma’s rise to prominence began earlier, during a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match in October 2023. He etched his name in the record books by eclipsing the legendary Yuvraj Singh’s long-standing record. With sheer hard hitting, Sharma blazed his way to a half-century off a mere 11 balls, surpassing Yuvraj’s iconic feat of achieving the fastest fifty by an Indian in T20s, a record that had stood unchallenged for 16 years.

Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh’s electrifying innings of scoring a fifty off just 12 balls remains etched in cricketing history as one of the most explosive displays of batting power. This remarkable feat was achieved during the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, in a thrilling encounter against England. Yuvraj’s aggressive approach and impeccable timing saw him dispatching the ball to all corners of the ground. In that explosive inning, the left-handed batsman hit six consecutive sixes off the bowling of Stuart Broad. 

The sequence of six sixes remains a defining moment in Yuvraj’s illustrious career and is celebrated as one of the most iconic moments in Indian cricket history.

Suggested Read: Five Fastest Bowlers in India

Chris Gayle

In 2016, Chris Gayle displayed his unparalleled power-hitting by smashing the equal-fastest fifty in Twenty20 cricket history. In a display of dominance for the Renegades against Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League, Gayle achieved this remarkable feat in just 12 balls. With the Renegades needing to chase down a target of 171 runs from 16 overs to secure a spot in the finals, Gayle seized the moment and unleashed a furious onslaught. 

He wasted no time in asserting his authority, launching four consecutive sixes off the bowling of Greg West in the very first over of the innings. 

Hazratullah Zazai 

In 2018, Hazratullah Zazai set the cricket world abuzz with his scintillating performance in the Afghanistan Premier League. He smashed a blistering half-century off just 12 balls, a feat that put him in the elite company Gayle and Singh, who also achieved the same milestone. Zazai’s innings was nothing short of spectacular as he hammered six sixes in a single over, again equalling Singh’s record. 

Bowler Abdullah Mazari, bore the brunt of Zazai’s assault, conceding a whopping 37 runs in a single over. 

Players Who Have Scored 50 in More Then 12 balls 

Meanwhile, three players have scored half-centuries off just 13 deliveries. Among them is former England opener Marcus Trescothick, who did it while representing Somerset against Hampshire in 2010. Austria’s Mirza Ahsan joined the elite club in 2019 during a T20 International against Luxembourg, securing the title of the second-fastest half-centurion in T20 Internationals.

West Indian spinner Sunil Narine demonstrated his batting abilities by matching the feat while playing for Comilla Victorians against Chattogram Challengers in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2022. Despite his primary role as a bowler, Narine’s exceptional performance with the bat added another dimension to his cricketing prowess, leaving fans in awe of his all-round abilities.

Fastest 50 in the IPL

Yashasvi Jaiswal grabbed headlines during the IPL 2023 edition with the tournament’s fastest fifty. Facing off against Kolkata Knight Riders, Jaiswal achieved the fastest fifty in IPL history, reaching the milestone in just 13 balls. This knock eclipsed the previous record set by KL Rahul of Kings XI Punjab in 2018, who took 14 balls to achieve a half-century against Delhi Daredevils.

Jaiswal’s innings didn’t stop there as he continued to dominate the opposition bowlers, eventually finishing unbeaten on 98 runs from just 47 balls.

The innings comprised an impressive tally of 12 fours and 5 sixes, cementing Jaiswal’s status as one of the most promising talents in the IPL circuit.

Play fantasy cricket on WinZO App and Win Daily Prices

FAQs about Fastest 50 in T20

Q) Who holds the record for the fastest 50 in T20 cricket? 

A) Nepal’s Dipendra Singh Airee holds the record for the fastest fifty in T20 cricket, which he achieved during a match against Mongolia at the Asian Games 2023. Airee blazed his way to an unbeaten 52 runs off just 10 balls. 

Q) Which Indian holds the record for the fastest 50 in T20 cricket? 

A) Yuvraj Singh, the legendary Indian cricketer, holds the record for the fastest 50 in T20 internationals, achieved in 12 balls against England in 2007.

Q) Which batsman has scored the fastest century in T20 cricket?

A) Chris Gayle, the West Indian powerhouse, holds the record for the fastest century in T20 cricket, scored in just 30 balls while playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL.

• Nepal smash T20I records: Fastest century and fifty, biggest margin of win
• Top 10 Batsmen with Most Sixes in Cricket
• Fastest Centuries in T20 Cricket
• Players With Most Centuries in T20 Cricket
• What is Strike Rate in Cricket?