A batsman reaching a half-century in record time is one of the most thrilling feats in One Day Internationals (ODIs), as every delivery may change momentum. The quickest 50s in ODI history are moments of cricketing adrenaline, power, timing, and audacity.
In July 2025, South African AB de Villiers and West Indian Matthew Forde shared the record for fastest ODI fifty, both achieving the milestone in 16 balls. The stories behind these scorching innings and the select list of players whose rapid-fire fifties have made cricketing history will be examined. For more these kind of blogs, register on Indibet site. Â
1. AB de Villiers – 16 Balls vs West Indies (Johannesburg, 2015)
AB de Villiers, known as “Mr. 360” for his all-round hitting, revolutionized aggressive batting in January 2015. Hashim Amla and Rilee Rossouw’s centuries put South Africa ahead against the West Indies at the Wanderers.
A masterpiece in controlled aggression ensued. De Villiers hit 6 fours and 4 sixes in 16 balls to reach fifty. He then scored the fastest ODI century (31 balls) and 149 from 44 balls. The innings was a perfect mix of ingenuity and physical force, setting an unbeatable standard until 2025.
2. Matthew Forde – 16 Balls vs Ireland (Dublin, 2025)
Matthew Forde, a lesser-known West Indies all-rounder, startled cricketers by equaling AB de Villiers’ record in May 2025. Forde entered at No. 8 with the Windies at 246/6 in the 44th over against Ireland in Dublin.
A stunning attack followed. Forde’s first 16 balls were: 1, 6, 0, 0, 0, 6, 0, 6, 6, 4, 6, 1, 0, 6, 6. He reached fifty with eight sixes and a four, scoring 56 of his 58 runs in Boundary. His brilliance helped West Indies score 352/8, making a respectable innings great. Forde’s innings showed that cricket heroes can come from anyone.
3. Sanath Jayasuriya – 17 Balls vs Pakistan (Singapore, 1996)
In the mid-1990s, Sanath Jayasuriya embodied aggressive opening batting. Jayasuriya scored 50 off 17 balls in the Singer Cup final versus Pakistan. He hit 8 fours and 5 sixes in an ODI at a time when such boldness was rare.
Jayasuriya changed ODI batting, notably in the first 15 overs. His 1996 blitz is one of Sri Lankan cricket’s most memorable innings.
4. Kusal Perera – 17 Balls vs Pakistan (Pallekele, 2015)
Nearly two decades later, Sri Lankan Kusal Perera matched Jayasuriya. Perera scored a 17-ball fifty to help Sri Lanka start a chase against Pakistan. His bold strokeplay and smart placement showed that Sri Lanka’s aggressive openers were still around.
5. Liam Livingstone – 17 Balls vs Netherlands (Amstelveen, 2022)
In 2022, England’s Liam Livingstone entered the elite club in a record-breaking ODI against the Netherlands. Livingstone’s 17-ball fifty helped England reach 498/4, a record ODI total.
His innings was characterized by booming sixes and modern English white-ball cricket intensity from ball one.
Conclusion
The fastest ODI fifties celebrate the sport’s transition from cautious to explosive starts. Players may break the 16-ball threshold as they push the envelope. Until then, AB de Villiers and Matthew Forde reign, reminding us that cricket is about flair and grace.
Rapid-fire fifties, whether from a legend or a budding star, are always thrilling. It’s thrilling cricket, and we can’t wait to see who’s next. For more these kind of informative blogs, register on Indibet app.Â
