Five Fastest Fifties in The History of Test Cricket

Jun 17, 2020 at 1:01 PM

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Five Fastest Fifties in The History of Test Cricket

The extended version of the game, Test cricket—checks the temperament of a cricketer in a nutshell. Test must-day format needs to be played with utmost patience, unlike Twenty20 cricket where aggression matters more. Some legends of this traditional form of cricket are Don Bradman, Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar to name a few. In the modern era, batsmen like Virat Kohli, Steven Smith, Kane Williamson, Joe Root, Babar Azam and Cheteshwar Pujara are some names who have reached greater heights in Test cricket.

As said, Test format needs to play with more endurance while some cricketers have not taken it seriously. Sometimes we have seen cricketers playing Test cricket like other formats.

Having said that, here, we will be listing below five batsmen who scored the fastest fifties in Test cricket, as if they were playing T20 cricket.

Here are the top five fastest fifties in Test cricket history:

5) Shahid Afridi

Test Cricket, Top Five, Fastest fifties, Test Cricket History

Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi has given more than enough contribution in the game, for his country. Counted as one of the best all-rounders, he was aggressive in his approach without concerning the format he is playing. He was a hard-hitting batsman to entertain one and all.

The 45-year-old scored the fifth-fastest fifty in the history of Test cricket against India in 2005. Pakistan toured India to play three-match Test series. India already had a lead in the game and the last game was left to be played. Then Shahid thrashed Team India with his powerful batting.

In the third Test match, the allrounder 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. His innings helped Pakistan to set up a mammoth total which helped the visitors to level the series with 1-1.

4) Shane Shillingford

Test Cricket, Top Five, Fastest fifties, Test Cricket History

Shane Shillingford didn’t have a long international career as he played just 16 Test matches for the West Indies. Being a bowler, he has a unique record of scoring the fourth fastest fifty in Test cricket history.

In 2014, New Zealand toured West Indies to play three-match Test series. In the first match, the Black Caps scored 508 runs in first innings and then also bundled out the hosts for 262. New Zealand then, scored a massive 403 runs and asked the Indies to chase it down.

In reply, West Indies lost their wicket early as they were reduced to 134 for nine. And for the last wicket stand, Shillingford and Sulieman Benn were at the crease. Then, Shane smashed a fifty in just 25 balls with the help of three boundaries and five sixes.

Eventually, Benn lost the wicket and Shane could not continue his show though he remained unbeaten. Besides, the Carribeans also lost the match.

3) Jacques Kallis

Test Cricket, Top Five, Fastest fifties, Test Cricket History

South African Jacques Kallis is also one of the known batsmen in the cricket world. He has helped his team – to register the victory in every knock and corner of the world. His memorable innings in Test cricket was his fastest fifty for which he was awarded as the Man of the match.

When Zimbabwe was touring South Africa 2005, Kallis knocked Zimbabwe bowlers all around the park in the first Test. He completed his fifty in 24 balls and finished his innings at 54 runs off 25 balls, with three boundaries and five sixes. And, also Proteas went on to win the game.

2) David Warner

Test Cricket, Top Five, Fastest fifties, Test Cricket History

David Warner, who is a T20 specialist batsman, holds the record for scoring the second-fastest fifty in Test cricket history. He achieved the new feat against Pakistan in 2017.

Australia has already upper hand in the Test series as they have won two Test matches. Warner was in the amazing form on the tour. He had scored a century in the previous game which had led Australia to have a hefty lead in the game.

With the lead of 235 runs, nobody would be eager to score runs but Warner was singing a different song. He amassed a fifty in 23 balls. His innings got over at 55 runs but it was an entertaining knock nonetheless.

1) Misbah-ul-Haq

Test Cricket, Top Five, Fastest fifties, Test Cricket History

The No.1 spot is held by the former Pakistan cricketer Misbah-ul-Haq, who scored the fastest fifty in Test cricket history against Australia in 2014. The hard-hitting batsman holds many records for his country.

In the two-match Test series, Misbah created a memorable record which no other batsman has been able to touch so far. He scored the fastest fifty against the Aussies in just 21 balls in the second Test. Also, he went on to score a century later in just 57 balls, his innings included 11 boundaries and five sixes.

For his outstanding show against Australia, he was awarded as the player of the series. He scored three centuries in four innings in that particular series.

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