Test cricket, traditionally known for its slower pace, has seen some remarkable moments of aggressive batting. From Misbah-ul-Haq’s record-breaking 21-ball fifty to Rishabh Pant’s recent milestones, these explosive innings have made history. Here’s a look at the top 20 fastest 50 in Test cricket.
1. Misbah-ul-Haq (21 balls)
Opposition: Australia
Venue: Abu Dhabi, 2014
Misbah-ul-Haq holds the record for the fastest 50 in Test cricket, achieving the milestone in just 21 balls against Australia. His remarkable innings reshaped the perception of aggressive batting in the longer format.
2. David Warner (23 balls)
Opposition: Pakistan
Venue: Sydney, 2017
David Warner smashed his way to a fastest fifty in Test cricket with a scintillating 23-ball half-century against Pakistan, underlining his reputation for rapid starts.
3. Jacques Kallis (24 balls)
Opposition: Zimbabwe
Venue: Cape Town, 2005
South African legend Jacques Kallis reached fifty in just 24 balls, making it one of the most explosive innings in Test cricket. This feat remains one of the fastest fifties in Test cricket history.
4. Ben Stokes (24 balls)
Opposition: West Indies
Venue: Birmingham, 2024
Ben Stokes, known for his fearless batting style, scored a fastest fifty in Test cricket off just 24 balls against the West Indies, adding another explosive performance to his career.
5. Shane Shillingford (25 balls)
Opposition: New Zealand
Venue: Kingston, 2014
West Indian spinner Shane Shillingford shocked many by achieving a fast fifty in Test cricket in just 25 balls against New Zealand, a rare feat for a bowler-turned-batsman.
6. Shahid Afridi (26 balls)
Opposition: India
Venue: Bangalore, 2005
Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi, known for his explosive batting, set a fastest 50 in Test cricket with a 26-ball half-century against India, showcasing his aggressive hitting.
7. Mohammad Ashraful (26 balls)
Opposition: India
Venue: Mirpur, 2007
Bangladesh’s Mohammad Ashraful achieved his fastest fifty in Test cricket in just 26 balls, stunning the cricketing world with his rapid-fire batting against India.
8. Dale Steyn (26 balls)
Opposition: West Indies
Venue: Port Elizabeth, 2014
Dale Steyn, South Africa’s fast-bowling great, proved he was more than just a bowler by scoring a fast 50 in Test cricket in just 26 balls against the West Indies.
9. Yusuf Youhana (27 balls)
Opposition: South Africa
Venue: Cape Town, 2003
Pakistan’s Yusuf Youhana, now known as Mohammad Yousuf, set a fastest fifty in Test cricket with a 27-ball half-century against South Africa.
10. E.A.V. Williams (28 balls)
Opposition: England
Venue: Bridgetown, 1948
West Indian batsman E.A.V. Williams entered the record books with a fast 50 in Test cricket in 28 balls against England, a remarkable feat for his time.
11. Ian Botham (28 balls)
Opposition: India
Venue: Delhi, 1981
The English all-rounder Ian Botham achieved a rapid fastest fifty in Test cricket in 28 balls during a thrilling encounter against India.
12. Chris Gayle (28 balls)
Opposition: New Zealand
Venue: Port of Spain, 2014
Chris Gayle, known for his destructive batting, reached fifty in just 28 balls against New Zealand, making it one of the fastest fifties in Test cricket.
13. Colin de Grandhomme (28 balls)
Opposition: Sri Lanka
Venue: Christchurch, 2018
New Zealand’s Colin de Grandhomme matched the 28-ball milestone with a fast 50 in Test cricket against Sri Lanka, showing his flair for quick runs.
14. Rishabh Pant (28 balls)
Opposition: Sri Lanka
Venue: Bengaluru, 2022
Rishabh Pant, India’s wicketkeeper-batsman, achieved his fastest 50 in Test cricket in just 28 balls during an electrifying performance against Sri Lanka in 2022.
15. Nasser Hussain (29 balls)
Opposition: Australia
Venue: Melbourne, 1998
England’s Nasser Hussain, known for his steady and composed batting, surprised many with a fast 50 in Test cricket off just 29 balls against Australia.
16. Bert Sutcliffe (29 balls)
Opposition: England
Venue: Auckland, 1955
New Zealand opener Bert Sutcliffe achieved a fastest fifty in Test cricket in just 29 balls against England, a remarkable feat during the 1950s.
17. Tom Graveney (29 balls)
Opposition: South Africa
Venue: Johannesburg, 1957
English batsman Tom Graveney scored a fast 50 in Test cricket in 29 balls against South Africa, marking one of the early examples of rapid Test batting.
18. Rishabh Pant (29 balls)
Opposition: Australia
Venue: Sydney, 2025
Rishabh Pant made headlines again, scoring a blistering 29-ball half-century against Australia in Sydney in 2025. This marks his second entry into the list of fastest fifties in Test cricket, solidifying his place as one of the most explosive modern-day Test batsmen.
19. Brendon McCullum (30 balls)
Opposition: Pakistan
Venue: Sharjah, 2014
Brendon McCullum, New Zealand’s hard-hitting captain, registered a fastest fifty in Test cricket in 30 balls against Pakistan, reinforcing his reputation as one of the game’s most aggressive players.
20. Kapil Dev (30 balls)
Opposition: Pakistan
Venue: Karachi, 1982
Indian all-rounder Kapil Dev achieved a fast 50 in Test cricket in 30 balls against Pakistan, showing his ability to take on the best bowlers in the world.
For more such records visit out page cricreport.in
Final Words
While Test cricket is traditionally known for its patience and strategy, these incredible fastest 50 in test cricket show that modern-day cricketers are bringing in a new era of aggressive batting. Records like these inspire the next generation of players to push the boundaries of what is possible in the longest format of the game.