As per many experts, Test cricket is a game of patience. But some players make it look like a T20 match. With each session of a test game, you can see a variety of changes. With the WTC going on, teams play the game in a way to win the match. That’s why we are seeing more results in Test games, rather than a draw. Teams and players play as per the situation.
We have seen many games where batters have turned the game in their favour with outstanding performance. They score fifty runs so fast that fans go crazy. Here at 96in app and website, you’ll get to know about the fastest fifty in Test cricket and the players who made these amazing records.
What is a Fifty in Test Cricket?
A fifty means a player scores 50 runs in one innings. In Test cricket, this usually takes time. Most batters take 60 to 100 balls to score 50 runs. But some players do it much faster. They hit the ball so hard that bowlers cannot stop them.
Who Holds the Record for Fastest Fifty in Test Cricket?
The record for fastest fifty in Test cricket belongs to Misbah-ul-Haq from Pakistan. He scored 50 runs in just 21 balls! This happened in 2014 against Australia in Abu Dhabi. Misbah hit four sixes and four fours to make this record. He broke the old record of Jacques Kallis, who made 50 in 24 balls.
Misbah did not stop there. He went on to score 100 runs in only 56 balls. This tied the record of the great Viv Richards.
Top 5 Fastest Fifties in Test Cricket
Here are the players with the quickest half-centuries in Test matches:
| Rank | Player | Balls | Against | Year |
| 1 | Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan) | 21 | Australia | 2014 |
| 2 | David Warner (Australia) | 23 | Pakistan | 2017 |
| 3 | Jacques Kallis (South Africa) | 24 | Zimbabwe | 2005 |
| 4 | Ben Stokes (England) | 24 | West Indies | 2024 |
| 5 | Shane Shillingford (West Indies) | 25 | New Zealand | 2014 |
These records show how skilled these players are. They can change a match in just a few minutes.
David Warner’s Amazing Knock
- David Warner from Australia scored the second fastest fifty in Test cricket. He made 50 in just 23 balls against Pakistan in Sydney in 2017. Warner hit three sixes and seven fours in his knock. He was trying to break Misbah’s record but missed by just two balls.
- Warner finished his innings with 55 runs from 27 balls. His team won the match and the series 3-0.
Ben Stokes Creates England Record
- Ben Stokes is the captain of England. In 2024, he scored the fastest fifty ever by an English player. Stokes made 50 in just 24 balls against West Indies in Birmingham. He hit the ball all over the ground. England needed only 82 runs to win. Stokes opened the batting and helped his team win in just 7 overs.
- This was the joint third-fastest fifty in Test cricket history.
Fastest Team Fifty in Test Cricket
- India holds the record for the fastest team fifty in Test cricket. In September 2024, Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 50 runs in just 3 overs (18 balls) against Bangladesh in Kanpur. They broke England’s record of 4.2 overs set earlier that year.
- Jaiswal scored 30 from 13 balls and Rohit made 23 from 11 balls. Together, they made Test cricket look like T20!
Indian Players with Fastest Fifty
- Rishabh Pant holds the Indian record for fastest fifty in Test cricket. He scored 50 in just 28 balls against Sri Lanka in 2022 in Bengaluru. In January 2025, Pant scored another quick fifty in 29 balls against Australia in Sydney. He became the first player ever to score two fifties under 30 balls in Test cricket.
- Other Indian players like Kapil Dev (30 balls) and Shardul Thakur (31 balls) also have quick fifties.
Why Are These Records Special?
These fast fifties are special because Test cricket is usually slow. When a player scores 50 in less than 25 balls, it shows great skill. It also puts pressure on the other team. Fast scoring can change the result of a match quickly.
Cricket fans love watching these exciting innings. They get to see big hits and amazing shots. If you want to follow cricket news and enjoy betting on your favorite matches, you can check out 96.com app and website for the best experience.

