Cricket is a fast-moving game. It can turn on its head in a span of a few overs. With the T20 format gaining popularity, the players are using the same approach in the other two formats as well. That is why some quick knocks are being recorded in ODI format as well. Afghanistan is another promising team in the white-ball format.
Despite their later entry into the game, they improved significantly over the years. This article will discuss the fastest half-centuries registered in the 50-over format. There are some dangerous batter on this list, which we will check here below.
Fastest ODI Fifty for Afghanistan
| Batter | Balls | Score | Vs | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Nabi | 24 | Sri Lanka | Lahore | 5 Sep 2023 | |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 26 | 64(37) | Pakistan | Colombo (RPS) | 26 Aug 2023 |
| Rashid Khan | 27 | 55(30) | Ireland | Abu Dhabi | 21 Jan 2021 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 28 | 54 (33) | Zimbabwe | Bulawayo | 18 Jul 2014 |
| Shafiqullah | 28 | 50* (28) | Ireland | Greater Noida | 19 Mar 2017 |
| Najibullah Zadran | 30 | 60* (33) | Ireland | Belfast | 21 May 2019 |
| Javed Ahmadi | 31 | 67 (45) | UAE | Dubai | 02 Dec 2014 |
| Rashid Khan | 31 | 57* (32) | Bangladesh | Abu Dhabi | 20 Sep 2018 |
| Hazratullah Zazai | 32 | 67 (43) | Ireland | Dehradun | 02 Mar 2019 |
| Mohammad Shahzad | 33 | 63 (43) | Ireland | Greater Noida | 17 Mar 2017 |
| Najibullah Zadran | 35 | 89* (53) | Scotland | Edinburgh | 04 Jul 2016 |
6. Najibullah Zadran (30 balls) vs Ireland in 2019
Najibullah Zadran holds the record for the fifth-fastest fifty for Afghanistan. He smashed a 30-ball fifty against Ireland in Belfast in May 2019. Batting first, Afghanistan made 305/7 and dismissed Ireland for 179 to win by 126 runs. Zadran smashed an unbeaten 60 off 33, including seven fours and three sixes.
5. Shafiqullah (28 balls) vs Ireland in 2017
The joint-fifth-fastest ODI fifty for Afghanistan was registered by Shafiqullah. He did it off 28 balls against Ireland in Greater Noida in March 2017. It was the third game of the five-match series. Afghanistan made 264/8, and Shafiqullah scored 50* off 28 balls, with two fours and four sixes. But it was a losing cause. Ireland made 265/4 and won the game.
4. Mohammad Nabi (28 balls) vs Zimbabwe in 2014
Mohammad Nabi also smashed a 28-ball half-century in ODIs. It came against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo in July 2014. This was the first game of the series. Afghanistan scored 223/9 in the first inning. Skipper Nabi made 54 off 33 balls, with three fours and three sixes. Chasing the target, Zimbabwe made 227/4 in 45.2 overs to win the game.
3. Rashid Khan (27 balls) vs Ireland in 2021
Rashid Khan is known for his bowling ability, but his batting has also been pretty impactful. He smashed Afghanistan’s third-fastest ODI fifty, which came off just 27 balls. He did it against Ireland in January 2021 in Abu Dhabi. Batting first, Afghanistan made 287/9 in 50 overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz made 127, while Rashid smashed 55 off 30 with two fours and five sixes. Ireland managed 271/9 and lost by 16 runs.
2. Mujeeb Ur Rahman (26 balls) vs Pakistan in 2023
Mujeeb Ur Rahman recently registered the second fastest ODI fifty for Afghanistan. He made it against Pakistan with just 26 balls. It was the third and final game in Colombo. Chasing 269 runs, Afghanistan were 97/7 when Mujeed showed some batting ability and scored a 26-ball fifty. He made 64 off 37, with five fours and five sixes. But Afghanistan only reached 209 and lost by 59 runs.