Slowest fifty in T20 World Cup: Mohammad Rizwan holds unwanted record

Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan has scored the slowest fifty in T20 World Cup history.

Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan took 52 balls to register his half-century against Canada in the T20 World Cup 2024 Group A match at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York.

Batting first, Canada rode on Aaron Johnson's 44-ball 52 to post 106/7 in 20 overs.

Rizwan opened the innings for Pakistan alongside Saim Ayub, who later, was out after making just six runs. Rizwan and skipper Babar Azam joined forces to contribute 63 runs for the second-wicket partnership. After Azam's dismissal, Fakhar Zaman added four runs. Rizwan (53) and Usman Khan (2) tied the loose ends as Pakistan sealed a win by seven wickets and 15 balls to spare.

South Africa’s David Miller scored the second-slowest fifty in T20 World Cup history.

David Miller took 50 balls to register the slowest fifty in T20 World Cups during a T20 World Cup 2024 Group D match against the Netherlands at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.

Earlier, South Africa rode on Ottneil Baartman’s 4/11 and two wickets each from Marco Jansen and Anrich Nortje to restrict the Netherlands to 103/9 in their 20 overs.

In reply, South Africa were soon reduced to 12/4 in 4.3 overs on a tricky pitch in New York.

Batting at No.6. David Miller later joined Tristan Stubbs at the crease. Miller and Stubbs stitched a crucial 65-run stand to bring South Africa back into the game.

While Stubbs departed for 33, Miller remained unbeaten on 59 off 51 balls to guide South Africa to a four-wicket win in New York. Miller’s match-winning knock was laced with three fours and four maximums.

Earlier, former West Indies cricketer Devon Smith’s 49-ball half-century against Bangladesh at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg in 2007 was the slowest fifty in T20 World Cup history.

During a group match in the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup in 2007, Devon Smith scored 51 off 52 balls, along with contributions from Shivnarine Chanderpaul (37), Dwayne Smith (29) and Marlon Samuels (27) to help West Indies post 164/8 in their allotted overs. Devon Smith’s knock included six fours. 

However, Bangladesh later chased down the target in 18 overs to secure a six-wicket win in Johannesburg.

Australia’s David Hussey features fourth in the unwanted list for the slowest fifty in T20 World Cup history.

David Hussey scored a 49-ball fifty against arch-rivals England in the T20 World Cup 2010 final at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Put in to bat, Australia rode on David Hussey’s 59 off 54 balls and Cameron White’s 19-ball 30 to post 147/6 in their 20 overs.

Later, England successfully chased down the target in 17 overs to clinch their maiden T20 World Cup title. Know slowest fifty in T20 World Cup.

Slowest fifty in T20 World Cup

Photo credit: Alamy