T20 International (T20I) cricket is all about speed, excitement, and fireworks. One of the most thrilling moments in any T20 match is when a batter goes berserk and reaches a half-century in record time. Over the years, we’ve seen some jaw-dropping knocks where batters have smashed their way to 50 runs in just a few deliveries, changing the course of the game in mere minutes.
Here’s a look at the top 10 fastest fifties in T20I history, ranked by the number of balls faced.
| Player | Balls | Match | Venue | Date |
| Dipendra Singh Airee | 9 | Nepal v Mongolia | Hangzhou | 27/09/2023 |
| Yuvraj Singh | 12 | India v England | Durban | 19/09/2007 |
| Mirza Ahsan | 13 | Austria v Luxembourg | Ilfov County | 31/08/2019 |
| C Munro | 14 | New Zealand v Sri Lanka | Auckland | 10/01/2016 |
| R Satheesan | 14 | Romania v Serbia | Sofia | 26/06/2021 |
| Sahil Chauhan | 14 | Estonia v Cyprus | Episkopi | 17/06/2024 |
| Faisal Khan | 15 | Saudi Arabia v Kuwait | Al Amerat | 24/01/2019 |
| Quinton de Kock | 15 | South Africa v West Indies | Centurion | 26/03/2023 |
| Babar Hayat | 15 | Hong Kong v UAE | Mulpani | 25/10/2023 |
| Taranjit Singh | 15 | Cyprus v Estonia | Episkopi | 17/06/2024 |
1. Dipendra Singh Airee – 9 Balls
Nepal’s Dipendra Singh Airee amazed the cricket fraternity by hitting a fifty in merely 9 balls at the 2023 Asian Games. Competing against Mongolia, Airee played a destructive inning and broke a long-standing record as well as earning his name a place in the history books.
2. Yuvraj Singh – 12 Balls
This blow is the stuff of legend. In the first T20 World Cup, Yuvraj Singh not only smashed a 12-ball fifty but also was the first player to hit six sixes in an over in a T20I. His mauling of Stuart Broad is cricket lore now.
3. Mirza Ahsan – 13 Balls
Austrian Mirza Ahsan tore apart Luxembourg to a 13-ball fifty. While not a household name in the cricketing world, his aggressive innings proved the depth and quality that even associate countries possess.
4. Colin Munro – 14 Balls
New Zealand’s big-hitter Colin Munro gave Sri Lanka no respite in his 14-ball rampage at Eden Park. Munro’s aggressive approach to hitting made him a T20 specialist, and this innings was a perfect example.
5. Ramesh Satheesan – 14 Balls
Cyprus skipper Ramesh Satheesan had a gem of an innings against Serbia in 2021. His 14-ball fifty was part of a comprehensive performance that enabled Cyprus to project their dominance within the European cricket scene.
6. Sahil Chauhan – 14 Balls
Another outstanding performance was that of Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan, who dismantled Cyprus’ bowling attack with a 14-ball fifty. His clean striking and confidence marked the increasing competitiveness of smaller cricketing nations.
7. Faisal Khan – 15 Balls
Bahrain’s Faisal Khan stunned the world with his beautiful 15-ball fifty against Kuwait. His score kept Bahrain on the move in the game and brought to the fore the growing talent of Gulf cricket.
8. Quinton de Kock – 15 Balls
South African wicket-keeper batsman Quinton de Kock is renowned for his attacking opening, and his 15-ball half-century against the West Indies was a clinic in power hitting. It occurred in a record-breaking game in which both teams scored enormous totals.
9. Babar Hayat – 15 Balls
Hong Kong’s Babar Hayat illuminated the ACC Men’s Premier Cup with a magnificent 15-ball fifty. Hayat, whose trademark is attacking, played an integral part in his team’s dominant performance through his innings.
10. Taranjit Singh – 15 Balls
Romania’s Taranjit Singh stole the show by bludgeoning a 15-ball fifty off Estonia. The innings was a reflection of bold batting and revealed how the associate countries are gaining strength with every passing game in the T20 format.
Final Thoughts
The T20 format keeps redefining what can be done in cricket. These lightning-quick fifties are not mere numbers they’re pieces of pure drama that thrill fans everywhere. With associate countries and new players regularly shattering records, it’s obvious that T20 cricket has turned into the great leveler, providing equal thrills from every part of the cricketing world.
As T20 cricket goes on to develop, we can only anticipate more such breathtaking performances that leave audiences amazed and bowlers frustrated.
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