The T20 World Cup 2024 is generating a lot of excitement among fans. With the unpredictable nature of this year’s West Indies pitches and the new settings in the USA, everyone is gearing up for a thrilling and unpredictable tournament. Since its inception in 2007, T20 cricket has become synonymous with its explosive action, high scores, and record-breaking performances. This year promises to deliver even more of the fast-paced, six-hitting excitement that fans love.
Many records are expected to be broken this World Cup. Afghanistan already gave us a peek with their record 125-run thrashing of Uganda in their opening fixture. As the saying goes, records are meant to be broken, but one record has stood the test of time: Yuvraj Singh’s fastest fifty.
Despite many monstrous hitters like Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, MS Dhoni, Andre Russell and Jos Buttler, none have come close to Yuvraj Singh’s magic 12-ball figure. But there are some serious contenders like Travis Head and Suryakumer Yadav, who came close and could challenge the record again. Yadav recorded his fastest fifty in 17 balls, while Head’s came in 16.
A T20 World Cup, however, is altogether different, and it isn’t easy to replicate the same form. The pressure of representing a nation isn’t easy. However, there have been names who have broken the stereotype and have registered fifty in record balls.
In this article, we will relieve those fast fifties in the T20 World Cup.
5 . Shoaib Malik (Pakistan) vs Scotland, T20 World Cup 2021 – 18 balls
Shoaib Malik’s inclusion in Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2021 squad was met with controversy and some noise due to his age of 39. Pakistani veteran, however, performed at his best in Dubai. Malik played a key role in Pakistan’s journey to the semifinals and a perfect example of his powers came against Scotland.
Shoaib Malik rescued Pakistan from a slow deck of Sharjah by providing them with a late surge. The fifty Malik scored off just 18 balls, pushing Pakistan to a total of 189 runs. In addition, his innings was also the fastest 50 by a Pakistani in T20s and played an important role in Pakistan’s victory.
4. Glenn Maxwell (Australia) vs Pakistan, T20 World Cup 2014 – 18 balls
Glenn Maxwell is one of the most dangerous batsmen in world cricket, but he’s always been fearless since stepping into international cricket in 2012. In the 2014 T20 World Cup, he showcased his big show, earning the nickname ‘Big Show’ by fans.
In the group stage match against Pakistan, Maxwell smoked dangerous names like Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal. It took him 18 balls to reach fifty and gave Australia a big boost in chasing 192 runs. He was dismissed for 74 runs which included big 6 sixes. Maxwell’s innings remain one of the most devastating in the history of T20 World Cups, even though he couldn’t lift his team to victory. 
3. Marcus Stoinis (Australia) vs Sri Lanka, T20 World Cup 2022 – 17 balls
Marcus Stoinis is often called the Hulk by his teammates, and he often plays like the Hulk. In 2022, Stoinis activated his beast mode against Sri Lanka in a crunch game at crispy Perth’s pitch. To keep their hopes alive, Australia desperately needed a win in that game, which they needed by a large margin.
At the stroke of the 13th over, Australia were struggling to chase 158 runs with 3 wickets for just 89 runs. As Stoinis stepped up to the crease, Sri Lankan bowlers were in for a tough day. In just 17 balls, he smashed six sixes and reached fifty to not only take Australia home but also give them a big boost in NRR and ink his name in books.
2. Stephan Myburgh (Netherlands) vs Ireland, T20 World Cup 2014 – 17 balls
The 2014 World Cup is remembered for Virat Kohli’s masterclass throughout the tournament and Lasith Malinga’s yorkers in the final, but Stephan Myburgh is an unknown name who made big headlines. During the World Cup, the Dutch batsman played one of the most iconic innings and helped his team qualify for the group stage from the grave.
In only 14 overs, Netherlands had to chase 190 runs, which seemed impossible, but Myburgh had other ideas. In just 13.5 overs, he helped Netherlands chase down 190 to complete the seemingly impossible chase. He scored 63 runs off just 23 balls, including seven big sixes.
1. Yuvraj Singh (India) vs England, T20 World Cup 2007 – 12 balls
In the past decade, world cricket has evolved drastically, but it hasn’t reached the level of Yuvraj Singh. In the inaugural event, he broke the record for fifty off 12 balls, a standard that no player has gotten close to.
Six consecutive sixes in one over off Stuart Broad remain one of the most iconic moments in cricket and have yet to be matched, along with his fastest fifty record. During the 2007 T20 World Cup, Yuvraj played many remarkable innings, including an onslaught against Australia, but his fastest fifty against England remains unbeaten.
This year, however, it may be different, with some dangerous names taking the field. With players like Head, Klaasen and Buttler coming off a strong IPL, they can certainly break the record if they find their mojo in a match.
However, breaking Yuvraj Singh’s record won’t be easy. In addition to exceptional hitting, some luck, and perhaps even lapses in bowling by the opposition, it will require a combination of factors. The 2024 T20 World Cup promises to be a spectacle of power-hitting and record-breaking feats. Whether the fastest fifty record falls remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the cricketing world will be watching with bated breath as batsmen attempt to rewrite history.
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