The Era of Power Hitting: T20’s Fastest Fifties
In the high-octane world of T20 cricket, there is no room for ‘settling in.’ From the moment the first ball is bowled, batsmen are on a mission to dismantle bowling attacks. While a century is a grand achievement, a lightning-quick fifty can shift the momentum of a game in just two overs.
1. Dipendra Singh Airee (Nepal) – 9 Balls
Records are meant to be broken, but Dipendra Singh Airee didn’t just break the record; he demolished it. During the 2023 Asian Games against Mongolia, Airee reached his half-century in a mind-blowing 9 deliveries. Scoring at a strike rate of 500+, he hit eight sixes in his first nine balls, leaving the world in awe.
2. Ashutosh Sharma (Railways) – 11 Balls
The domestic circuit in India witnessed magic in 2023 when Ashutosh Sharma smashed an 11-ball fifty against Arunachal Pradesh. Breaking Yuvraj Singh’s long-standing Indian record, Ashutosh proved that the next generation of power hitters is ready for the global stage.
3. Yuvraj Singh (India) – 12 Balls
The ‘Six Sixes’ king. Yuvraj Singh’s 12-ball fifty against England in the 2007 T20 World Cup remains the most iconic moment in T20 history. Stuart Broad was the victim as Yuvraj cleared the ropes with ease, setting a benchmark that stood for 16 years.
4. Chris Gayle (Melbourne Renegades) – 12 Balls
No list of batting records is complete without the ‘Universe Boss.’ In the 2016 Big Bash League, Gayle equaled the world record at the time by destroying the Adelaide Strikers’ attack, reaching 50 in just 12 balls.
5. Hazratullah Zazai (Kabul Zwanan) – 12 Balls
Zazai joined the elite 12-ball club in the 2018 Afghanistan Premier League. Matching Yuvraj Singh’s feat, he also struck six sixes in a single over, cementing his reputation as one of the cleanest strikers of the ball.
6. Sahil Chauhan (Estonia) – 12 Balls
In 2024, Sahil Chauhan took the cricketing world by surprise during a T20I against Cyprus. Not only did he smash a 12-ball fifty, but he also went on to score the fastest-ever T20I century in just 27 balls.
7. Yashasvi Jaiswal (Rajasthan Royals) – 13 Balls
The fastest fifty in IPL history belongs to Yashasvi Jaiswal. In 2023, he tore into the KKR bowling attack, reaching 50 in 13 balls. His fearless approach at the top of the order has made him a mainstay in the Indian national team.
8. Marcus Trescothick (Somerset) – 13 Balls
A pioneer of aggressive opening, Trescothick hammered a 13-ball fifty back in 2010. Even before T20 was the global phenomenon it is today, Trescothick was showing the world how to play the short format.
9. Sunil Narine (Comilla Victorians) – 13 Balls
While known for his mystery spin, Narine is a nightmare for bowlers in the powerplay. In the 2022 BPL, he blazed to a fifty in 13 balls, proving that his pinch-hitting abilities are world-class.
10. Mirza Ahsan (Austria) – 13 Balls
The growth of associate cricket has brought incredible talent to light. Mirza Ahsan’s 13-ball onslaught against Luxembourg in 2019 remains one of the fastest international half-centuries recorded.
Summary: The Evolution of Speed
As we head further into 2026, the boundaries are getting smaller, and the bats are getting better. With players like Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head pushing the envelope, the 9-ball record might soon find itself under threat. One thing is certain: the fans are in for a thrill.
