Top Five Fastest Fifties In The History Of Test Cricket
Published - 21 Feb 2020, 01:56 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:04 AM
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Test Cricket is called the purest form of cricket because a batsman has to hold his nerve and play with character to succeed in the longest format. As an international cricketer, one must be able to switch between formats, to play with responsibility in Tests, and play with aggression in T20 Internationals.
Some players struggle at this and stick to one format, where they do exceptionally well, such as Cheteshwar Pujara for India.
However, on the other hand, other players can easily switch modes between any formats of the gentleman’s game.
Having said that, today, we will be listing below five batsmen who scored half-centuries in Test cricket, as if they were playing T20 cricket.
Here are the top five fifties in Test cricket history:
5) Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi was one of the best all-rounders, in the history of cricket. Some people called him selfish for always having an aggressive approach to batting, but him being in constant T20 mode did help Pakistan in various matches.
The 45-year-old scored the fifth-fastest fifty in the history of Test cricket against India in 2005. Pakistan were touring India back then and in the third Test of the three-match series, Afridi did something that surprised everyone.
He scored 58 runs off just 34 balls, getting his fifty in just 26 balls, which was the fastest in Test cricket back then by a Pakistani batsman. Afridi’s innings helped Pakistan beat India and tie the series 1-1.
4) Shane Shillingford
This list would have been incomplete without the mention of the West Indies player. Shane Shillingford scored the fourth fastest fifty in Test cricket history against New Zealand in 2014.
The Kiwis were on a tour of West Indies and the two teams were playing a three-match Test series. In the first match, the Black Caps scored 508 runs and then they ran through the hosts’ batting to reduce them to a total of 262. New Zealand then, scored a massive 403 runs and asked the Indies to chase it down.
In reply, the home side could only score 139 runs at the loss of nine wickets when Shane decided to take things into his hands and he decked up a fifty in just 25 balls with three boundaries and five sixes.
Eventually, his team lost, but the 36-year-old was able to give an entertaining inning to the fans on that day.
3) Jacques Kallis
South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis is also regarded as one of the greatest of all time. His playing style was unique, and he helped his nation to many famous victories throughout his career.
The 44-year-old created history by becoming the batsman with third-fastest fifty in Test cricket when Zimbabwe were touring South Africa 2005. Coming out to bat in the first Test, Kallis knocked Zimbabwe bowlers all around the park.
He completed his fifty in 24 balls and finished his innings at 54 runs off 25 balls, with three boundaries and five sixes. The
Proteas won that game and Kallis was adjudged as the Man of the Match.
2) David Warner
Australia’s swashbuckling opener David Warner holds the recording for scoring the second-fastest fifty in Test cricket history, a feat he achieved versus Pakistan in 2017.
Having already won the first two Tests convincingly, Australia romped to a total of 538 runs against the visiting team helped by Warner’s century. Having scored a century in the previous game as well, the 33-year-old was in amazing form.
Pakistan, in reply, could only muster 315 runs.
With a healthy lead of 235 runs, you would expect Australia to take it easy, but that’s not how Warner likes to bat.
The left-hander blazed his way to yet another fifty in just 23 balls. His innings got over at 55 runs but it was an entertaining knock nonetheless.
1) Misbah-ul-Haq
At number one, we have Misbah-ul-Haq, who scored the fastest fifty in Test cricket history against Australia in 2014. In his peak, the 45-year-old was a calm customer, but a dangerous batsman who will always be remembered for his innings in the final of ICC T20 World Cup 2007.
Pakistan played Australia in a two-match series and during the second Test, Misbah created a record like no other. He scored a fifty against the Aussies in just 21 balls and went on to score a century later in just 57 balls, his inning included 11 boundaries and five sixes.
Having scored three centuries in four innings in that series the Pakistani skipper was rewarded with the Man of the Series award, as his team blanked Australia 2-0.
