The perfectionists might not like it, but T20 cricket has created a few amazingly engaging matches. The format has been able to draw new gatherings of people worldwide. Batsmen causing mayhem on the field has made a difference to this particular format pick up large-scale popularity. And there have been very a couple of events when the batsmen have completely overwhelmed the game and single-handedly caused absolute mayhem.
Let’s take a look at some of the fastest fifties scored in the shortest format of the game.
1. Yuvraj Singh, India vs England, Durban, 2007 | 12 balls
The record for the quickest 50 in T20 cricket is held by Yuvraj Singh. One of the foremost cherished heroes of the game, Singh took just 12 balls to reach the breakthrough within the memorable match against England in the inaugural version of ICC T20 World Cup in 2007. Yuvraj crushed the exceptionally popular 6 sixes in an over of Stuart Broad and made history by getting to be the first cricketer to do so in T20 cricket.
2. Chris Gayle, Melbourne Renegades vs Adelaide Strikers, Melbourne, 2016 | 12 balls
Number 2 on the list of fastest 50 in T20 cricket is the Boss Chris Gayle. The West Indian struck a lightning-fast 56 off just 17 balls against Adelaide Strikers. This thump came within the league stage of Big Bash League’s 2016 version. The Renegades were required to chase down Adelaide Strikers’ target of 171 in fair 16 overs to qualify for the knockout stage. Gayle gave them a base by coming to his 50 in fair 12 balls. However, the rest of the team couldn’t capitalize over the start and misplaced the game by 27 runs.
Also Read | Top 10 innings with highest strike rate in T20I
3. Hazratullah Zazai, Kabul Zwanan vs Balkh Legends, Sharjah, 2018 | 12 balls
Number 3 on the commencement is Afghanistan’s Hazratullah Zazai’s 62 in just 17 balls. Zazai batted at a faultless strike rate of 364.71 in this match of the Afghanistan Premier League. With this innings, Zazai made history by crushing 6 sixes in an over. He crushed Balkh Legends’ Abdullah Mazari for 6 sixes. With this, he got to be the 5th part on the list of batsmen with this accomplishment in their career in any form of cricket.
4. Marcus Trescothick, Somerset vs Hampshire, Taunton, 2010 | 13 balls
In a group stage match against Hampshire in England’s Friends Provident T20 Cup, Somerset’s skipper and former English opener Marcus Trescothick scored an unbelievable innings of 78 off just 27 balls. He reached to his 50 in just 13 balls and smashed 7 fours and 7 sixes in this knock and led his team to a famous victory.
Also Read | Lowest totals in T20Is
5. KL Rahul, Kings XI Punjab vs Delhi Daredevils, Punjab, 2018 | 14 balls
Chasing a target of 167 set by Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) banking on skipper Gautam Gambhir’s 55, Rahul got Punjab to a brilliant start as he hit some glorious shots all around the park. When Rahul was batting, Punjab was cruising at 52/0 in just three overs, with the other opener – Mayank Agarwal batting at 2. It was veteran spinner Amit Mishra who faced the wrath of Rahul’s brutal hitting as he smashed 24 runs from Mishra’s first over bringing up the fastest IPL fifty in just 14 deliveries. KL eventually got out at 51 after hitting six fours and four sixes.
There are few more players who have scored a fifty in 14 balls as well like Keiron Pollard, Farhaan Behardien, Colin Munro, Gerard Brophy and Imran Nazir. But I chose KL Rahul’s inning as my favourite.
