Top 10 Fastest Fifties in T20 World Cup History

In T20 cricket, speed and power are everything especially when it comes to scoring runs. One of the most thrilling moments in any T20 World Cup match is a batter reaching fifty runs in the fewest balls possible. These quickfire half-centuries can turn the tide of a match and often become unforgettable for fans.

This article highlights the Top 10 Fastest Fifties in T20 World Cup History, featuring players who smashed records and thrilled audiences with their explosive batting. Each player listed below showed extraordinary skill and confidence in the world’s biggest T20 stage.

List of Top 10 Fastest Fifties in T20 World Cup History

10. Shadab Khan – Pakistan vs South Africa (2022)

Shadab Khan shocked the cricket world in the 2022 T20 World Cup with his all-round brilliance. While known for his leg-spin, Shadab lit up the Sydney Cricket Ground with a furious batting display against South Africa. He came in when Pakistan was in trouble and shifted momentum in their favor. With fearless strokeplay, he reached his fifty in just 20 balls, launching a mix of fours and sixes. This innings not only turned the match around but also reminded the world of his batting potential. His quickfire half-century is still remembered as one of the Fastest Fifties in T20 World Cup history.

Player Name	Balls Faced	Opponent
Shadab Khan	20	South Africa

9. Yuvraj Singh – India vs Australia (2007)

Yuvraj Singh’s second entry on this elite list came during the semi-final clash of the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. Already a star after his six-sixes feat, Yuvraj continued his explosive form with a 20-ball fifty against a powerful Australian side. Batting with supreme confidence, he punished even the best Aussie bowlers with ease. His fearless aggression helped India post a competitive total, which eventually sealed their place in the final. Yuvraj’s innings was filled with trademark flicks and towering sixes—truly one of the Fastest Fifties in T20 World Cup matches.

Player Name	Balls Faced	Opponent
Yuvraj Singh	20	Australia

8. Mohammad Ashraful – Bangladesh vs West Indies (2007)

Mohammad Ashraful brought Bangladesh to the world’s attention with an iconic innings against West Indies in 2007. His 20-ball fifty was filled with daring shots and classy strokes. At a time when Bangladesh were seen as underdogs, Ashraful played with fearlessness and flair. His performance helped secure a historic win for Bangladesh, making it one of the most emotional and memorable innings in their cricketing history. His blazing knock ranks high among the Fastest Fifties in T20 World Cup contests.

Player Name	Balls Faced	Opponent
Mohammad Ashraful	20	West Indies

7. Rohit Sharma – India vs Australia (2024)

Rohit Sharma, often known for his calm approach, displayed his explosive side in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Facing Australia, one of the toughest opponents, Rohit stunned fans with a 19-ball fifty. He dominated the bowlers with powerful drives and effortless sixes, showing why he is one of India’s greatest T20 players. His innings laid a strong foundation for India in a crucial group-stage clash. This knock not only helped India win but also earned Rohit a place among the Fastest Fifties in T20 World Cup moments.

Player Name	Balls Faced	Opponent
Rohit Sharma	19	Australia

6. Shoaib Malik – Pakistan vs Scotland (2021)

Veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik proved age is just a number when he smashed a 50 in 18 balls against Scotland in 2021. At the age of 39, Malik brought back memories of his younger days, hitting the ball clean and hard. His knock was key in Pakistan posting a big total and was filled with calculated aggression and clean striking. This powerful knock earned him a rightful spot in the Fastest Fifties in T20 World Cup chart.

Player Name	Balls Faced	Opponent
Shoaib Malik	18	Scotland

5. KL Rahul – India vs Scotland (2021)

In the same tournament, KL Rahul produced an elegant yet explosive knock, scoring a fifty off just 18 balls. Rahul’s innings was a masterclass in timing and precision, blending grace with aggression. He made full use of the powerplay and took the Scottish bowlers to task. Rahul’s ability to switch gears quickly was on full display. His blazing knock stands among the Fastest Fifties in T20 World Cup, underlining his value as a T20 opener.

Player Name	Balls Faced	Opponent
KL Rahul	18	Scotland

4. Glenn Maxwell – Australia vs Pakistan (2014)

Glenn Maxwell, known for his unorthodox yet effective batting, played a brilliant innings against Pakistan in 2014. He reached his half-century in just 18 balls, putting the Pakistani bowlers under severe pressure. Maxwell’s stroke range included reverse sweeps, switch hits, and brute-force slogs. While Australia didn’t win the match, Maxwell’s fearless hitting left a lasting impression. His innings remains one of the Fastest Fifties in T20 World Cup, showcasing his unique batting style.

Player Name	Balls Faced	Opponent
Glenn Maxwell	18	Pakistan

3. Marcus Stoinis – Australia vs Sri Lanka (2022)

Marcus Stoinis played the role of a finisher to perfection in the 2022 T20 World Cup. Coming in during a pressure situation against Sri Lanka, he unleashed an all-out assault to notch up his fifty in just 17 balls. His batting was brutal and clinical, especially against spinners and pace alike. Stoinis’s powerful build and confidence made his innings one of the finest counterattacks in tournament history. It stands tall among the Fastest Fifties in T20 World Cup matches.

Player Name	Balls Faced	Opponent
Marcus Stoinis	17	Sri Lanka

2. Stephan Myburgh – Netherlands vs Ireland (2014)

Stephan Myburgh of the Netherlands stunned the cricketing world with a lightning-quick 17-ball fifty against Ireland in 2014. The innings helped the Netherlands chase down a target within 13.5 overs to qualify for the Super 10 stage. Myburgh’s fearless intent against both pace and spin was extraordinary. This innings put associate teams on the map and is still celebrated as one of the Fastest Fifties in T20 World Cup by a non-Test playing nation.

Player Name	Balls Faced	Opponent
Stephan Myburgh	17	Ireland

1. Yuvraj Singh – India vs England (2007)

At the top of the list is the legendary 12-ball fifty by Yuvraj Singh during the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup. This magical innings came in the same match where he hit six sixes in a single over off Stuart Broad. With every shot, Yuvraj rewrote history. His fearless hitting, clean timing, and crowd-pumping energy turned the Durban night into one of cricket’s most unforgettable moments. No one has come close to breaking this record yet, and it remains the crown jewel among the Fastest Fifties in T20 World Cup records.

Player Name	Balls Faced	Opponent
Yuvraj Singh	12	England

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