5 Fastest fifties in Test cricket

Test cricket is an exciting format and a batsman needs to hold his nerve, show resilience and character to succeed in this longer version of the game. There is no room for error and a small mistake can cost the team dearly.

The most challenging thing for international cricketers is to switch from one format to other. Test cricket demands a different type of mindset and batting technique and rash shots played in one-day or t20 cannot be played here. However, there have been instances when players exploded by taking the attack to the opposition bowlers and collected quick runs.

Note: In case of a tie, priority was given to the batsman who got there first

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#5 Shahid Afridi (Balls faced - 26)

Afridi blasted the Indian bowlers en route to a racy fifty

Shahid Afridi is one of the greatest all-rounders the sport of cricket has ever seen. He delivered consistently with the ball and with the bat, he always used his hand-eye coordination to send the ball over the fence.

India hosted Pakistan for a 3-Test series in 2005. Pakistan were down 1-0 in the series after two tests and the final test was a must-win game. After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Pakistan posted a huge total of 570 on the board in their first innings, thanks to the 324-run stand between Younis Khan and Inzamam-ul-Haq.

The hosts scored 449 in their first innings, courtesy a double-century from Virender Sehwag. When the visitors came out to bat in their second innings with a lead of 121, Afridi bludgeoned a fifty off just 26 balls. He finished with 58 off 34 balls with 8 fours and 2 sixes.

This was then-fastest fifty by a Pakistani cricketer. The visitors went on to win the game and tied the series 1-1.

#4 Shane Shillingford (Balls faced - 25)

Shane Shillingford entertained the crowd with some lofted shots

Shane Shillingford is an off-break bowler and had some impressive performances. When the West Indies team toured India in 2013, Shillingford became the joint second-highest wicket-taker in the series. He has so far played in 16 tests and picked up 70 wickets.

New Zealand visited West Indies for a 3-test series in 2014. In the first test at Jamaica, New Zealand racked up 508-7 declared, on the back of a century from Kane Williamson. In reply, the hosts got all-out for a meager 262. New Zealand earned 246-run first innings lead and came out to bat in the second innings. Shillingford who picked up 3 wickets in the first innings did well once again and picked up 2 scalps in the second innings.

West Indies came out to bat chasing a target of 403. The Kiwi bowlers ran through the opposition batsmen and reduced them to 134-9. That is when Shillingford who enjoyed success with the ball decided to entertain the crowd with some lofted shots.

Batting at number 11, he got to his fifty in just 25 balls with 3 fours and 5 sixes. The Shillingford-Benn duo added 82 runs for the last wicket. West Indies eventually lost the game but the home crowd were definitely entertained by Shillingford's efforts.

#3 Jacques Kallis (Balls faced - 24)

Kallis is arguably the greatest all-rounder of all-time

Jacques Kallis is arguably the greatest all-rounder of all-time. He was consistent throughout his career and dismantled the opposition teams with his all-round performances. He was a thorn in the flesh for rivals and took South Africa to famous victories.

Zimbabwe toured South Africa for a 2-test series in 2005. In the first test, the visitors won the toss and chose to bat first but were bundled out for just 54 runs in the first innings. after a dismal performance. Kallis blossomed with 4/13.

The hosts got off to a great start with Smith and De Villiers adding 217 runs for the opening wicket. Later, Jacques Kallis once again showed up and knocked the Zimbabwean bowlers for runs all around the park. He got to a racy fifty in just 24 balls and finished with 54 off 25 balls, accompanied by 3 fours and 5 sixes.

To no one's surprise, the hosts won the game and took 1-0 lead in the series. Kallis was the Man of the Match for his all-round performance.

#2 David Warner (Balls faced - 23)

David Warner came up big in both the innings to help Australia to a huge win

David Warner is one of the most explosive batsmen of modern generation. With his aggressive mindset, he is known for destroying even best of the bowling attacks. Warner's exploits at the top ease the job of the middle-order batsmen.

Australia hosted Pakistan for a 3-test series in 2016-17. After winning the first two tests quite convincingly, the third test was just a dead rubber for Australia. In the third test, Warner who scored a century in the second test came up alive once again and scored another century in the first innings. The Warner-Renshaw duo added 151 runs for the first wicket. Warner made a quick-fire 113 off 95 with 17 fours. The hosts posted a big total of 538-8 before declaring.

Pakistan only managed to score 315 in their first innings. Barring Younis Khan who made a brilliant 175* off 334, no one delivered the goods for the visitors. Australia came out to bat in their seconds innings with a huge lead 235. Warner then stroked his way to a blazing half-century in just 23 balls.

He scored 55 off 27 balls with 8 fours and 3 sixes. Australia went on to win this game by an innings and 220 runs. David Warner took home the man of the match trophy for his strong performances in both the innings.

#1 Misbah-ul-Haq (Balls faced - 21)

Misbah-ul-Haq smashed Australian bowlers for a beautiful century

Misbah-Ul-Haq will be remembered forever by the cricketing fraternity for his heroics in the finals of the ICC T20 World Cup in 2007. He got the team so close to the target single-handedly but failed to close out. In test cricket, he was known for his calmness and played with highest level of concentration. He led the Pakistan team to number one in test rankings and will forever be recognized as one of the greatest skippers of all-time for Pakistan.

Pakistan were up against Australia for a 2-test series in 2014. In the first test, Pakistan routed the visitors by 221 runs. Misbah had a good game and scored a half-century in the one innings that he got to bat. The focus shited to Abu Dhabi for the second test.

Batting first, Pakistan lost wickets in quick succession and were reduced to 96-2. Then, Younis Khan and Misbah went on to add 236-runs for the third wicket. Because of their partnership, Pakistan finished the innings with a mammoth total of 570-6 declared. Misbah registered a century, scoring 101 off 168. Younis Khan smashed a double-century and finished with 213 off 349 balls. In reply, Australia got all-out for just 261 runs.

Pakistan came out to bat for the second time with a huge lead of 309 runs. Misbah came out to bat at 152-3 and wrecked havoc on the opposition bowlers. He picked up from where he left in the first innings and scored the fastest fifty in test cricket, only in 21 balls. The Pakistani skipper remained unbeaten on 101 off 57 with 11 fours and 5 sixes before declaring in their second innings. This was a very unusual knock from someone who usually preferred to not take risk.

This strong performance resulted in an emphatic victory and Pakistan clinched the series 2-0. Younis Khan was awarded the Man of the Series for 3 centuries in 4 innings.