Scoring a quick fifty in the ICC Champions Trophy is an exceptional accomplishment, showcasing a player's ability to score runs at a rapid pace under pressure. Throughout the competition's history, a few batsmen have shown explosive batting abilities, reaching the milestone in record time. A quick fifty can change the course of a match, giving the batting side momentum and putting pressure on the opposition. Players who achieve this accomplishment often play fearless cricket, taking on bowlers with aggressive stroke play. The fastest fifties in the Champions Trophy highlight some of the most thrilling moments in the tournament’s history.
Who scored the fastest 50 in the ICC Champions Trophy?
Based on ESPN Cricinfo, former Pakistan all-rounder and skipper Shahid Afridi has the fastest 50 in the ICC Champions Trophy, as of February 2025. He achieved the feat in the 2002 Champions Trophy while playing against the Netherlands in a group-stage game at Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Afridi scored the half-century in just 17 balls with a final score of 55 runs in just 18 balls. He hit six over boundaries and four boundaries in that inning. He had a strike rate of 305.55 in that innings which is the highest strike rate in a single innings in the Champions Trophy, as of February 2025. Apart from Afridi, Craig McMillan, Eoin Morgan, Jesse Ryder, and Yuvraj Singh are also on the list of players with the fastest 50 in the ICC CT.
Top-10 players with the fastest 50 in the ICC Champions Trophy
| Player | Final Score | Total Balls Faced | Balls for 50 | Strike Rate | Opponent | Venue | Year |
| Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) | 55* | 18 | 17 | 305.55 | Netherlands | Colombo | 2002 |
| Craig McMillan (New Zealand) | 64* | 27 | 21 | 237.03 | United States | The Oval | 2004 |
| Eoin Morgan (England) | 67 | 34 | 26 | 197.05 | South Africa | Centurion | 2009 |
| Jesse Ryder (New Zealand) | 74 | 58 | 28 | 127.58 | Sri Lanka | Johannesburg | 2009 |
| Yuvraj Singh (India) | 53 | 32 | 29 | 165.62 | Pakistan | Birmingham | 2017 |
| Nuwan Kulasekara (Sri Lanka) | 58* | 38 | 30 | 152.63 | England | The Oval | 2013 |
| Hardik Pandya (India) | 76 | 43 | 32 | 176.74 | Pakistan | The Oval | 2017 |
| Daren Sammy (West Indies) | 56* | 35 | 33 | 160.00 | India | The Oval | 2013 |
| Luke Ronchi (New Zealand) | 65 | 43 | 33 | 151.16 | Australia | Birmingham | 2017 |
| Damien Martyn (Australia) | 78 | 91 | 35 | 85.71 | England | Jaipur | 2006 |
FAQs on ICC Champions Trophy
A. Kohli’s fastest 50 came in 21 balls in a T20 match against West Indies in 2019, as per ESPN Cricinfo.
A. A half-century in cricket means reaching 50 runs in an innings.
A. As of February 2025, Jammu And Kashmir's Bandeep Singh has the fastest 50 in the Ranji Trophy, based on NDTV Sports.
A. Yashasvi Jaiswal has the fastest 50 in IPL in just 13 balls in 2023 against KKR.
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