T20 cricket has changed the vision of playing cricket since it gained recognition. That is why over 100 countries across the globe play this format. Fans also love watching sixes and boundaries hit in the game. It also led to some of the quickest innings ever played in the history of the game. The fastest fifty in cricket came in a T20I game.
That is why this format is the most popular among fans. In this article, we will cover the list of fastest half centuries by Ireland in T20I cricket. Ireland has come a long way since they were introduced to cricket. Now they are among some tough teams in this format and are capable of beating any big team.
5. William Perterfield (23 balls) vs Kenya in 2012
The joint-fourth fastest T20I 50 for Ireland is registered with the name of a former Irish player, William Porterfield. It came against Kenya in the 2012 T20 World Cup at the Dubai Stadium. It was the ninth game of the tournament. Batting first, Kenya got all out for 71 runs in 19 overs. In reply, Ireland got off to a brilliant start with a 23-ball fifty by Porterfield. He scored an unbeaten 56* off 27 balls, with 8 fours and two sixes. Ireland scored 72 runs in just 7.2 overs and won by 10 wickets.
4. Paul Stirling (21 balls) vs Zimbabwe in 2019
The joint-third fastest T20I half-century for Ireland came in Zimbabwe in July 2019. It came in the second game of the tri-series between Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Netherlands. After winning the toss, Ireland chose to bowl first. Zimbabwe had a tough time with the bat, making 132/8 in their 20 overs. Chasing the target, Ireland got off to a brilliant start with a 21-ball fifty by Paul Stirling. He smashed an unbeaten 83* off 36 balls, with 6 fours and 7 sixes. Ireland made 134/1 in 10.5 overs.
3. Paul Stirling (21 balls) vs Canada in 2012
Paul Stirling has hit two 21-ball half-centuries in his career. He has both joint-third-fastest T20I fifty for Ireland. One of them came against Canada in the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier in March 2012 at Dubai Stadium. Batting first, Canada could only manage a total of 106/8 in their 20 overs. Chasing the target, Stirling gave his team a flying start and scored a 21-ball fifty. He made an unbeaten 61* off 32 balls, with nine fours and three sixes. He, along with William Porterfield (42* off 25), added 109 runs in just 9.3 overs to win the game by 10 wickets.
2. Paul Stirling (20 balls) vs West Indies in 2020
Paul Stirling is a world-recognised name in the shorter format. And for Ireland, he holds most of the records in T20 internationals. He also holds the record for the second-fastest T20I fifty for his country. It came West Indies in 2020. It was the first game of the three-match series at St. George’s. Batting first, Ireland scored a massive total of 208/7 with the help of a 20-ball fifty by Stirling. He made 95 off 47 balls, with six fours and eight sixes. In reply, West Indies also batted well but fell short by 4 runs off the target. They made 204/7 in their chase.
1. Paul Stirling (17 balls) vs Afghanistan in 2012
Paul Stirling also holds the record for the fastest T20I fifty by an Irish player. It came against Afghanistan in the final of the 2012 T20 World Cup qualifier at Dubai Stadium. Batting first, Afghanistan made a total of 152/7 in their first innings. It was a competitive total in the final against a good bowling attack from Afghanistan. Ireland lost their first wicket off the very first ball. But after that, Stirling took the game away from Afghanistan. He scored a 17-ball fifty and made 79 off 38 balls, with nine fours and three sixes. Ireland scored 156/5 in 18.5 overs to win it by five wickets.
List of Fastest 50 in T20 by Ireland
| Player | Balls | Score | Against | Venue | Table |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Stirling | 17 | 79* (38) | Afghanistan | Dubai (DSC) | 24/03/2012 |
| Paul Stirling | 20 | 95 (47) | West Indies | St George’s | 15/01/2020 |
| Paul Stirling | 21 | 61* (32) | Canada | Dubai (DSC) | 22/03/2012 |
| Paul Stirling | 21 | 83* (36) | Zimbabwe | Bready | 12/07/2019 |
| William Perterfield | 23 | 56* (27) | Kenya | Dubai (DSC) | 14/03/2012 |
| Gary Wilson | 23 | 65* (29) | Scotland | Dubai (DSC) | 20/01/2017 |
| Curtis Campher | 24 | 72* (32) | Scotland | Hobart | 19/10/2022 |
| Larry Tucker | 25 | 78 (38) | South Africa | Birstol | 03/08/2022 |