Fastest Fifties in ODI

This article covers the fastest half-centuries scored by batters in ODI cricket.

Fastest ODI Fifties

Key Insights on Fastest Half-Centuries in ODI Cricket

Fastest ODI Fifties by Balls and Captains

The record for the fastest fifty in ODI cricket is shared by AB de Villiers and Matthew Forde, both reaching the milestone in just 16 balls. De Villiers achieved this against the West Indies in 2015, while Forde did it against Ireland in 2025.

De Villiers’ 16-ball fifty is also the fastest ever by a captain and a wicketkeeper in an ODI inning.

In that same record-breaking match, de Villiers went on to score the fastest-ever ODI hundred, taking just 31 balls (Check the top ten here). This explosive innings helped South Africa post their highest team total in ODIs: 439 for 2.

A month later, de Villiers also hit the fastest-ever ODI 150, off just 64 balls, against the same opponent at the 2015 World Cup.

Shahid Afridi has the most ODI fifties scored in 20 or fewer balls, with six such instances. He also holds the record for scoring half-centuries in 22 or fewer balls against the most different teams (seven).

Liam Livingstone’s 17-ball fifty helped England to the highest-ever ODI total: 498 for 4 against the Netherlands in 2022.

World Cup and ICC Tournament Records for Quickest Fifties

Brendon McCullum holds the record for the fastest fifty in the ODI World Cup, scoring his half-century off 18 balls against England in 2015.

Shahid Afridi holds the record for the fastest fifty in the Champions Trophy, achieving his in 18 balls against the Netherlands in 2002.

Record-Breaking ODI Fifties by an Opener and Associate Batter

Scotland’s Michael Leask holds the record for the fastest fifty by an associate batter, reaching the mark in 18 deliveries against Papua New Guinea in 2022.

The joint-fastest fifty by an opener belongs to Sanath Jayasuriya and Kusal Perera, both of whom scored a fifty off 17 balls for Sri Lanka.

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