White-ball cricket has witnessed rapid transformation in recent years, with numerous rule changes favoring batters. The introduction of two new balls in ODIs has nearly erased the art of reverse swing, keeping the ball hard throughout the innings and making it easier for batters to score freely. As a result, totals above 300 are no longer intimidating, and aggressive play has become the norm.

Despite these favorable conditions, reaching a half-century in under 20–25 balls remains a remarkable feat. It requires immense skill, power, and fearlessness early in the innings.

Let’s explore the top 10 fastest fifties in ODI cricket history:

10. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – 18 Balls

In the 2014 Asia Cup, Afridi stunned Bangladesh with a blistering 59 off just 25 balls. His half-century came in only 18 deliveries, showcasing his trademark aggression.

9. Glenn Maxwell (Australia) – 18 Balls

Maxwell has been a key player for Australia in white-ball cricket. In a high-scoring game against India in Bengaluru (2013), he reached his fifty in 18 balls and ended with 62 off 22 deliveries.

8. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – 18 Balls

Afridi again makes the list for his 18-ball fifty against the Netherlands. In that 2002 match, he hammered 55 runs, featuring six maximums and four boundaries.

7. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – 18 Balls

Afridi’s third entry comes from his iconic knock against Sri Lanka in 1996. He smashed 102 off 40 balls and reached his fifty in 18 balls, hitting 11 sixes and six fours.

6. Simon O’Donnell (Australia) – 18 Balls

O’Donnell, a former Australian all-rounder, delivered one of the earliest explosive fifties in ODIs. He made a quickfire 74 off 29 balls against Sri Lanka in 1990, reaching fifty in just 18 balls.

5. Liam Livingstone (England)–17 Balls

Livingstone unleashed a burst of power against the Netherlands in 2022; 66* off 22 balls. His fifty in 17 balls helped England put 498 runs on the board, a world record.

4. Martin Guptill (New Zealand)–17 Balls

The aggression with which he goes about his batting saw Guptill crushing 93 not out off 30 balls against Sri Lanka with a 17-ball fifty.

3. Kusal Perera (Sri Lanka)–17 Balls

Perera equalled Jayasuriya’s record, blasting 17 balls for his fifty against Pakistan in 2015, hitting a blazing 68.

2. Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) – 17 Balls

In the 1996 Singer Cup final, Jayasuriya pulverised the Pakistan bowling with his 76 runs off 28 balls. His fifty came in what was then a world record 17 balls.

1. AB de Villiers (South Africa) – 16 balls

The record for the fastest ODI half-century is held by AB de Villiers, who managed to reach the milestone in a mere 16 balls against West Indies in 2015. He went on to score 149 in that innings, also recording the fastest century.