Top 3 fastest Test fifties by a visiting batter in Australia ft. Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant has become the talk of the town after a quickfire half-century in the second innings for India in their ongoing fifth Test against Australia. On a tough batting wicket at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Pant played his natural game and ended up scoring 61 runs off just 33 deliveries.

Pant entertained fans at the Sydney Cricket Ground by smashing six boundaries and four maximums. He showed no mercy to the fiery Australian pace attack, taking them to the cleaners while maintaining a strike rate of 184.85.

So, where does Rishabh Pant's 50 rank in terms of fastest Test half-centuries by a visiting batter in Australia? Let's find out.

---

#3 Wasim Akram - 35 balls

A rather surprising name to feature on the list is of former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram. Wasim was known for his pace bowling, but he was also a handy option with the bat in the lower-order.

Back in 1999, when Australia hosted Pakistan for a Test match at the W.A.C.A ground in Perth, the visitors lost all their wickets for 155 in the first innings. In response, Australia posted a mammoth 451 on the board, thanks to centuries from Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting.

Pakistan trailed by 296 runs when they came out to bat in the second innings. The visitors slumped to 168/6 when captain Wasim Akram came out to bat and launched a counter-attack. Akram smashed nine fours to complete his half-century off just 35 balls.

Unfortunately for Akram, his 40-ball 52 went in vain as Pakistan were bowled out for 276. Australia won that match by an innings and 20 runs.

---

#2 Chris Gayle - 34 balls

Former West Indies opener Chris Gayle owns the record for the fastest Test half-century by a visiting captain against Australia. The Universe Boss achieved the feat during West Indies' tour of Australia in 2009. Incidentally, W.A.C.A ground hosted this match as well.

Australia scored 520/7 dec in the first innings, courtesy of a 99-run knock from Simon Katich. In reply, West Indies skipper Chris Gayle launched an all-out assault on the Australian bowlers, completing his half-century off just 34 balls. Gayle hit eight fours and one six en route to his 50.

He went on to complete his century as well, losing his wicket for 102 off 72 eventually. While Gayle won the Man of the Match award for his innings, West Indies lost that Test by 35 runs.

---

#1 Rishabh Pant - 29 balls

Thanks to his magnificent half-century at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Rishabh Pant now owns the record for the fastest half-century by a visiting batter in Tests against Australia. Pant took only 29 deliveries to complete his half-century.

Rishabh Pant came out to bat at number five when India were down to 59/3 in the second innings. Having worked hard for a 98-ball 40 in the first innings, Pant switched to his T20 mode in the second innings, destroying the Aussie bowling department.

Rishabh Pant smacked six fours and three sixes en route to his half-century. He completed his 50 in style with a glorious six against Mitchell Starc over the leg-side. Pat Cummins dismissed him for 61 eventually.