Fastest Fifty in T20 World Cup History

Yuvraj Singh holds the record for the fastest fifty in Men's T20 World Cup history. The Indian left-hander reached his half-century from only 12 balls against England in the 2007 T20 World Cup at Durban. The record has survived every Men's T20 World Cup through the 2026 edition.

Yuvraj's innings is remembered for much more than the 12-ball fifty. He hit England fast bowler Stuart Broad for six consecutive sixes in one over, becoming the first batter to achieve the feat in a T20 international. He eventually scored 58 from only 16 balls and helped India post 218/4 before winning the match by 18 runs.

Stephan Myburgh and Marcus Stoinis are joint second on the list after reaching fifty from 17 balls, while Glenn Maxwell, KL Rahul, Shoaib Malik and Abhishek Sharma have all scored 18-ball fifties in the tournament.

Fastest Fifties in T20 World Cup History

The 2026 tournament produced several fast half-centuries, but nobody came close to Yuvraj's 12-ball record. Abhishek Sharma's 18-ball fifty in the final against New Zealand was the fastest fifty of the 2026 edition and the fastest ever in a Men's T20 World Cup knockout match.

1. Yuvraj Singh – 12 Balls vs England, 2007

Yuvraj Singh's 12-ball fifty against England remains the fastest half-century in T20 World Cup history.

The match was played at Kingsmead in Durban during the Super Eight stage of the inaugural tournament. India were batting first and had already built a strong platform when Yuvraj came to the crease.

He did not need much time to settle.

The left-hander started attacking immediately and then produced one of the most famous overs in international cricket when Stuart Broad came on to bowl the 19th over.

Yuvraj Singh Hit Six Sixes in One Over

Broad's over became part of cricket history.

Yuvraj hit every ball for six.

There were no wides or no-balls.

Yuvraj personally scored all 36 runs from the six legal deliveries.

The final six also took him to his half-century from only 12 balls.

Yuvraj Finished With 58 From 16 Balls

Yuvraj did not stay at the crease for much longer after reaching fifty.

He was eventually dismissed for 58 from only 16 deliveries.

His innings included three fours and seven sixes.

That means 54 of his 58 runs came in boundaries.

India finished with 218/4 from 20 overs.

England responded strongly but finished on 200/6, giving India an 18-run victory.

Why Yuvraj's 12-Ball Fifty Is Still So Difficult to Break

A batter needs to attack almost every delivery to reach fifty in only 12 balls.

Even six sixes produce only 36 runs.

The player still needs another 14 runs from the remaining deliveries faced before or after that over.

There is almost no room for a dot ball.

The bowler can also change pace, length and angle after every boundary.

Yuvraj managed to keep hitting cleanly despite England constantly trying to change the plan.

That is why the record has survived since the first T20 World Cup.

2. Stephan Myburgh – 17 Balls vs Ireland, 2014

Stephan Myburgh holds the joint second-fastest fifty in Men's T20 World Cup history, reaching the milestone from 17 balls against Ireland in 2014.

The Netherlands faced a very unusual situation in Sylhet.

Ireland had scored 189/4, and the Netherlands needed to chase the target in just 14.2 overs to qualify for the next stage on net run rate.

That meant a normal successful chase was not enough.

The Netherlands had to attack almost every ball.

Myburgh responded with one of the fastest starts the tournament has seen.

Myburgh Gave Netherlands an Incredible Start

The left-handed opener attacked Ireland's fast bowlers immediately.

He reached his fifty from only 17 balls and eventually scored 63 from 23 deliveries.

The Netherlands raced to 91/1 inside the powerplay.

Wesley Barresi and Tom Cooper continued the attack after Myburgh's dismissal.

The Netherlands completed the chase in only 13.5 overs.

It was one of the most aggressive successful run chases in T20 World Cup history.

Why Myburgh's Fifty Was So Important

The innings was not simply about scoring quickly.

The Netherlands knew exactly how quickly they needed to chase the target.

If they had taken several more overs, they could have won the match but still failed to qualify.

Myburgh's 17-ball fifty gave them the start they needed.

That match remains one of the best examples of a team using net run rate calculations to shape its entire batting plan.

3. Marcus Stoinis – 17 Balls vs Sri Lanka, 2022

Marcus Stoinis matched Myburgh's 17-ball record when he smashed a fifty against Sri Lanka during the 2022 Men's T20 World Cup.

Australia were chasing 158 in Perth.

The innings had slowed through the middle overs, and the required rate was starting to rise.

Stoinis arrived and completely changed the match.

He attacked Sri Lanka's spinners, including Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, and turned a difficult chase into a comfortable one.

Stoinis Finished With 59* From 18 Balls

Stoinis hit six sixes and four fours during his unbeaten 59 from only 18 deliveries.

He reached fifty from his 17th ball.

His strike rate for the innings was above 327.

Australia completed the target in 16.3 overs, with Stoinis finishing the match unbeaten.

At the time, it was also the fastest T20I fifty by an Australian batter.

Stoinis Attacked Sri Lanka's Best Spinners

The most impressive part of Stoinis' innings was the way he attacked spin.

Hasaranga had been one of the world's best T20 bowlers.

Stoinis did not allow him to settle.

He used his strength to hit straight down the ground and over the leg side.

The chase changed in only a few overs.

That ability to take control immediately makes the innings one of the best power-hitting performances in T20 World Cup history.

4. Glenn Maxwell – 18 Balls vs Pakistan, 2014

Glenn Maxwell reached fifty from only 18 balls against Pakistan in the 2014 T20 World Cup.

Australia were chasing 192 and lost two early wickets.

Instead of rebuilding slowly, Maxwell decided to attack.

He went after Pakistan's experienced spin attack, including Saeed Ajmal and Shahid Afridi.

Maxwell reached fifty from 18 deliveries and eventually scored 74 from 33 balls, with seven fours and six sixes.

Maxwell Nearly Changed the Entire Chase

Australia had been 8/2 early in the innings.

Maxwell's hitting suddenly pushed them back into the contest.

He scored quickly enough to make a target of 192 look reachable.

Pakistan eventually dismissed him and regained control, winning by 16 runs.

Australia lost the match, but Maxwell's 18-ball fifty remained one of the fastest in T20 World Cup history.

5. KL Rahul – 18 Balls vs Scotland, 2021

KL Rahul scored an 18-ball fifty against Scotland during the 2021 T20 World Cup.

India needed a big victory because net run rate had become important for their chances of reaching the semi-finals.

Scotland were bowled out for only 85.

India therefore wanted to complete the chase as quickly as possible.

Rahul and Rohit Sharma attacked from the first over.

Rahul reached his half-century in only 18 balls.

Rahul Helped India Finish the Chase Quickly

Rahul hit six fours and three sixes during his 19-ball 50.

India reached the target in just 6.3 overs.

The rapid chase gave India's net run rate a major boost.

Rahul's innings was therefore more than an individual record.

He played exactly the type of innings India needed in that situation.

6. Shoaib Malik – 18 Balls vs Scotland, 2021

Shoaib Malik also reached fifty from 18 balls against Scotland in the 2021 T20 World Cup.

Pakistan had already qualified for the semi-finals but wanted to finish the group stage strongly.

Malik came to the crease during the final part of the innings.

He attacked Scotland's bowlers immediately.

The final over was especially damaging as Malik hit three sixes and a four.

He reached his fifty from the last ball of the innings and finished unbeaten on 54 from 18 balls.

Malik Set a Pakistan T20 World Cup Record

Malik's innings became the fastest fifty by a Pakistan batter in Men's T20 World Cup history.

He had faced only 18 balls but hit six sixes.

Pakistan reached 189/4 and then comfortably defended the total.

The innings was even more impressive because Malik was 39 years old at the time.

His experience and power remained valuable deep into his international career.

7. Abhishek Sharma – 18 Balls vs New Zealand, 2026

Abhishek Sharma scored the fastest fifty of the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup, reaching the landmark from only 18 balls against New Zealand in the final.

India entered the final in Ahmedabad with an aggressive batting plan.

Abhishek attacked New Zealand's bowlers immediately and gave India a flying start.

He completed his half-century from 18 balls, matching Maxwell, Rahul and Malik on the all-time list.

More importantly, it became the fastest fifty ever scored in a Men's T20 World Cup knockout match.

Abhishek Set the Tone in the 2026 Final

A World Cup final usually creates extra pressure.

Batters can become careful because one mistake could cost the team the trophy.

Abhishek went in the opposite direction.

He attacked immediately and forced New Zealand to change their bowling plans during the powerplay.

India eventually made 255/5 and won the final comfortably.

His 18-ball fifty gave India the early momentum for that huge total.

Fastest Fifty in T20 World Cup 2026

Abhishek Sharma's 18-ball fifty was the quickest of the 2026 tournament.

Several players came close with 19-ball half-centuries.

Dasun Shanaka reached fifty from 19 balls against Oman and set a new Sri Lankan T20I record. Finn Allen also reached fifty in 19 deliveries during his record-breaking century against South Africa in the semi-final.

The 2026 tournament therefore produced several entries among the fastest T20 World Cup fifties, but Yuvraj remained comfortably ahead at 12 balls.

Rohit Sharma – 19 Balls vs Australia, 2024

Rohit Sharma produced one of his greatest T20 World Cup innings against Australia in 2024.

He reached fifty from 19 balls during the Super Eight match in St Lucia.

Rohit attacked fast bowling and spin from the start and eventually made 92 from 41 deliveries.

His innings helped India post a large total and move closer to the semi-finals.

It also became one of the fastest half-centuries by an Indian in T20 World Cup history.

Dasun Shanaka – 19 Balls vs Oman, 2026

Dasun Shanaka reached his fifty from 19 balls against Oman during the 2026 tournament.

Sri Lanka had already built a good platform when Shanaka began attacking the bowling.

He hit five sixes and two fours on his way to the milestone.

The innings became the fastest T20I fifty by a Sri Lankan batter.

Sri Lanka eventually reached 225/5 and won the match by 105 runs.

Finn Allen – 19 Balls vs South Africa, 2026

Finn Allen reached fifty from 19 balls during New Zealand's semi-final against South Africa.

He did not slow down after reaching the milestone.

Instead, Allen became even more aggressive and reached his century from only 33 balls, setting the record for the fastest century in Men's T20 World Cup history.

He finished unbeaten on 100 as New Zealand won by nine wickets and reached the final.

Fastest Fifty by India in T20 World Cup

Yuvraj Singh remains the fastest Indian to score fifty at the Men's T20 World Cup.

Yuvraj appears twice among India's quickest World Cup fifties.

His second fast fifty came only three days after his 12-ball record, when he attacked Australia in the semi-final.

Yuvraj Singh's 70 Against Australia

Yuvraj's 2007 tournament was not defined by only one innings.

In the semi-final against Australia, he reached fifty from 20 balls and eventually scored 70 from 30.

Australia had a strong bowling attack, but Yuvraj repeatedly cleared the boundary.

India reached 188/5 and won the match by 15 runs.

The victory sent India into the final, where they defeated Pakistan to win the inaugural T20 World Cup.

Fastest Fifty by Australia in T20 World Cup

Marcus Stoinis holds Australia's record with his 17-ball fifty against Sri Lanka in 2022.

Glenn Maxwell is next with an 18-ball fifty against Pakistan in 2014.

Both innings show the depth of Australia's power hitting.

Maxwell attacked from the top-middle order, while Stoinis did his damage later in the chase.

Fastest Fifty by Pakistan in T20 World Cup

Shoaib Malik holds Pakistan's record with his 18-ball fifty against Scotland in 2021.

The innings came late in Pakistan's batting effort and helped push the total to 189.

Shadab Khan has also produced one of Pakistan's quickest World Cup fifties, reaching the mark from 20 balls against South Africa in 2022.

Pakistan have produced many powerful T20 batters, but Malik remains at the top of this particular World Cup record.

Fastest Fifty in a T20 World Cup Knockout Match

Abhishek Sharma holds the record for the fastest fifty in a Men's T20 World Cup knockout match.

He reached fifty from 18 balls against New Zealand in the 2026 final.

Before that, many fast fifties had come during group or Super Eight matches.

Scoring that quickly in a final is different because the pressure is much higher.

Abhishek's innings showed India's aggressive batting approach even in the biggest match of the tournament.

Fastest Fifty in a T20 World Cup Final

Abhishek Sharma's 18-ball fifty in 2026 is also the fastest fifty in a Men's T20 World Cup final.

Before 2026, Mitchell Marsh held the record after reaching fifty from 31 balls against New Zealand in the 2021 final.

The difference between 31 and 18 balls shows how aggressively T20 batting developed over the following years.

Abhishek's innings completely changed the pace of the 2026 final from the opening overs.

T20 World Cup Fastest Fifty vs T20I Fastest Fifty

The fastest fifty in all men's T20 international cricket is different from the World Cup record.

Nepal's Dipendra Singh Airee reached fifty from only nine balls against Mongolia at the 2023 Asian Games.

That broke Yuvraj's wider T20I record.

However, Airee's innings was not played at the Men's T20 World Cup.

Yuvraj therefore continues to hold the tournament record with his 12-ball fifty.

Could Yuvraj Singh's Record Be Broken?

The record can be broken, but a batter would need to reach fifty in 11 balls or fewer.

Modern T20 cricket has become much more aggressive, and players regularly attempt sixes from the start of an innings.

The wider T20I record has already fallen to nine balls.

That proves a sub-12-ball fifty is possible.

Doing it at a World Cup, however, is much harder because of stronger bowling attacks and the pressure of a global tournament.

After ten editions of the Men's T20 World Cup, Yuvraj's 12-ball mark still stands.

Why Fast Fifties Can Change a T20 Match

A 20-over innings contains only 120 legal deliveries.

If one batter scores fifty from 18 balls, they have added 50 runs while using only 15 percent of the team's available deliveries.

A 12-ball fifty is even more extreme.

It can transform a normal total into a huge one within only two overs.

Fast fifties also create pressure on bowlers and captains.

Fields change, bowling plans become defensive and other batters can play with more freedom.

Who Scored the Fastest Fifty in T20 World Cup History?

The direct answer is Yuvraj Singh.

He scored a 12-ball fifty against England at Durban in the 2007 Men's T20 World Cup.

His innings included six consecutive sixes against Stuart Broad.

Yuvraj eventually scored 58 from 16 balls, and India won the match by 18 runs.

Through the end of the 2026 T20 World Cup, no batter had broken his record.

FAQs

Who scored the fastest fifty in T20 World Cup history?

Yuvraj Singh holds the record with a 12-ball fifty against England in the 2007 Men's T20 World Cup.

How many balls did Yuvraj Singh take to score fifty?

Yuvraj reached his half-century from only 12 balls.

Against which team did Yuvraj score the fastest T20 World Cup fifty?

He scored it against England at Durban in 2007.

Which bowler did Yuvraj hit for six sixes?

Yuvraj hit England fast bowler Stuart Broad for six consecutive sixes.

Who has the second-fastest fifty in T20 World Cup history?

Stephan Myburgh and Marcus Stoinis share second place with 17-ball fifties.

Who scored the fastest fifty in T20 World Cup 2026?

Abhishek Sharma scored the fastest fifty of the 2026 tournament, reaching the milestone from 18 balls against New Zealand in the final.

What is the fastest fifty in a T20 World Cup final?

Abhishek Sharma's 18-ball fifty against New Zealand in 2026 is the fastest in a Men's T20 World Cup final.

What is the fastest fifty by Pakistan in T20 World Cup history?

Shoaib Malik holds Pakistan's record with an 18-ball fifty against Scotland in 2021.

What is the fastest fifty by Australia in T20 World Cup history?

Marcus Stoinis holds Australia's record with a 17-ball fifty against Sri Lanka in 2022.

Is Yuvraj Singh's 12-ball fifty still a world T20I record?

No. Dipendra Singh Airee scored a nine-ball T20I fifty for Nepal in 2023. However, Yuvraj still holds the Men's T20 World Cup record.

Sources

• ICC – Yuvraj Singh's 12-Ball Fifty and Six Sixes in 2007
  View ICC's feature on the iconic innings