Top 10 Fastest Fifties in T20 international cricket

Top 10 Fastest Fifties in T20 international cricket: T20 is the shortest form of cricket in the world today. Just 20 overs per innings give the adrenaline based rush to both fans and players. There is no space for mistakes or missed opportunities in this format. As it is also a format most favorable to the batsmen, we look at the Top 10 Fastest Fifties in T20 international cricket: 10. Gautam Gambhir – 19 balls v Sri Lanka, 2009: Gautam Gambhir scored the then fastest 50 for India in just 19 balls. (Photo Source: Associated Press) Gautam Gambhir scored the then fastest 50 for India in just 19 balls while chasing a stiff target of 216 against Sri Lanka in the 2009 series. India was given a good platform by Gambhir who made 55 off just 26 balls before being dismissed by Angelo Mathews. India went on to lose the match by 29 runs despite contributions by lower order. 9. David Warner – 19 balls v South Africa, 2009: David Warner reached his 50 off just 19 balls and ended up with the man of the match award in the Australian win. (Photo Source: PA Photos) David Warner was picked in this match for his debut before he played any first-class matches for his state team. He was so unknown, that the scorers at the MCG didn’t even have a photo of him to display on the scoreboard. Warner made sure that everyone would remember him after he smoked 89 runs off just 43 balls on his debut. He reached his 50 off just 19 balls and ended up with the man of the match award in the Australian win. 8. Glenn Maxwell – 18 balls v Sri Lanka, 2016: Australia’s Glenn Maxwell raises his bat and helmet in celebration after scoring a century. (Photo by LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images) After coming from the ODI snub, Glenn Maxwell opened for the second time in the T20I series and registered his second consecutive fifty-plus score. Maxi went on to score 29-ball 66 runs with 7 fours & 4 sixes at a 228 strike-rate. Maxwell fireworks helped Australia to win the series 2-0. This is probably the best reply Maxwell could give to the Aussie selectors for his ouster from the ODI squad. 7. Glenn Maxwell – 18 balls v Pakistan, 2014: Maxwell made his 50 off just 18 balls and ended up with 74 runs to his name off 33 deliveries with 6 sixes and 7 fours. (Photo Source: Getty Images) Australia’s newest batting sensation Glen Maxwell took centre stage in this crucial match against Pakistan. Pakistan scored 191, thanks to a brilliant 94 by Umar Akmal. In reply, the Australian batting collapsed under the pressure and skilful Pakistani bowling. But Maxwell along with opener Finch tried to take Australia to the victory. Maxwell made his 50 off just 18 balls and ended up with 74 runs to his name off 33 deliveries with 6 sixes and 7 fours. Sadly, Australia lost the match by 16 runs. 6. David Warner – 18 balls v West Indies, 2010: Another David Warner entry. This time he bettered his previous record of 50 in 19 balls. (Photo Source : Getty Images) Another David Warner entry. This time he bettered his previous record of 50 in 19 balls. He cut and pulled his way to 50 off just 18 deliveries against a formidable West Indian attack. Warner hit 67 in that knock during his 29-ball stay hit five fours and seven sixes. He maintained a strike rate of 231 while hitting one of the fastest T20I fifties. 5. Stephan Myburgh – 17 balls v Ireland, 2014: Stephan Myburgh scored 50 off just 17 balls and his final score of 63 runs off 23 balls made sure that the incoming batsmen had to just keep going for Netherlands to qualify. (Photo Source: ICC) The stage was set for Netherlands. Ireland had made 189 batting first and Netherlands had to chase that score in fewer than 14.2 overs to qualify for the next round or they would have been knocked out. Enter Stephan Myburgh. The Orange opener made sure that the momentum was built with an astonishing attack on the Irish bowlers from the word go. His 50 off just 17 balls and his final score of 63 runs off 23 balls made sure that the incoming batsmen had to just keep going for Netherlands to qualify. 4. Paul Stirling – 17 balls v Afghanistan, 2012: PaulStirling smoked 79 runs off just 38 balls. (Photo Source: Getty Images) Ireland met Afghanistan in the finals of the World T20 qualifiers in Dubai for a chance to play in the World T20 2014 to be held in Bangladesh. Afghanistan made 152 batting first. The total was not a big one, but Irish opener Paul Stirling made sure that there were no jitters of being in a final. He smoked 79 runs off just 38 balls, reaching his 50 in just 17 deliveries. His onslaught meant that the following batsmen just had to cross the line for Ireland to win the qualifier and they did win it. 3. Chris Gayle – 17 balls v South Africa, 2015: Gayle reached his 50 off just 17 balls with 5 fours and 5 sixes. (Photo Source: Gallo Images) Chris Gayle has made his name as the best batsman in the T20 format. The big West-Indian is known for his power hitting and long sixes. He is also the first man to make a century in T20Is.In this match South Africa set West Indies a target of 166 runs and Chris Gayle’s 77 off 31 balls with 8 towering sixes ensured victory for the West Indies. Gayle reached his 50 off just 17 balls with 5 fours and 5 sixes. 2. Colin Munro – 14 balls v Sri Lanka, 2016: Colin Munro. (Photo Source: Twitter) Colin Munro playing his 20th T20I for New Zealand against the touring Sri Lanka came into bat one down while the Kiwis had a target of 143 to chase. He joined skipper Kane Williamson and was out and out aggressive in his knock. On the second ball that he faced in the day hit a maximum which gave an indication of how he approached the innings. The 4th, 6th, 7th and 9th balls also landed into the stands. In the 10th over of the innings, he scored 17 against Chameera and with the match-winning six got to his 2nd T20I fifty and that too in just 14 balls with that he now holds the record for the second fastest fifty in T20I cricket. 1. Yuvraj Singh – 12 balls v England, 2007: This innings is one the most unforgettable innings of the inaugural World T20 of 2007. (Photo Source: Getty Images) This innings is one the most unforgettable innings of the inaugural World T20 of 2007. Batting first, India got a solid opening start by Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, who added 136 runs. But the finishing touches were applied by Yuvraj Singh, who was incensed by constant banter by Andrew Flintoff. Yuvraj then decided to take his anger out on poor Stuart Broad who was blasted for 6 sixes on all of his 6 balls of his over. It was the first time this feat was achieved in T20 cricket. Yuvraj came in like lightning and when he exited, he had made 58 off just 16 balls with 7 huge sixes. Yuvraj made a world record 50 off just 12 balls, the fastest in any format of the game, including T20 cricket. A record that can be safely called unbreakable. Also Read – Top 10 Wonders of Cricket (All Stats Updated Till 9th September 2016)