The fastest fifties ever in first-class cricket is a special list, a really special one. For starters, it talks about cricketers who have scored brilliantly and vibrantly so in cricket's authentic format
but with it, made their names a part of record books thanks to exceptional run-hitting. This, quite clearly, is run-hitting- is it not? And that too, of the highest pedigree and class. After all, it is one thing to make runs but something quite other to to ensure that the record stands its ground in the game's first-class format.
Some brilliant batting feats, in particular, have happened in Ranji Trophy, in particular, which happens to be the highest echelons of domestic first-class cricket in India. And then, to have some interesting, if also, underrated names with great batting feats from other cricketing geographies is something that is truly remarkable. Isn't it? So let us delve further into the great or unique list of men with fastest fifties in first-class cricket, a list that features Akash Kumar Chaudhary.
11 deliveries: Akash Kumar Choudhary for Meghalaya vs Arunachal Pradesh in Surat (2025)
The record for the fastest-ever first-class fifty belongs to Indian cricketer Akash Kumar Choudhary who very recently shone bright for Meghalaya, hitting a smashing and vibrant fifty off just 11 deliveries and that's it, punishing AP in the process. What an effort, truly speaking! Six consecutive sixes happened in that!
12 deliveries: Wayne White for Leicestershire vs Essex in Leicester (2012)
It took Wayne White of Leicestershire just 12 odd deliveries against Essex to score a whirlwind half-century for Leicestershire and in the year 2012, a record that still features thirteen years hence among the fastest fifties in first-class cricket of all time. As on date, White has scored nearly 2,800 first-class runs and his graph as a stable all rounder with medium pace being the other weapon in his armoury is only sharpening. This is evidenced by 202 first-class wickets.
13 deliveries: Michael van Vuuren for Eastern Province B vs Griqualand West in Cradock (1984/85)
Taking just 13 odd deliveries, Michael van Vuuren scored a vital half century for Eastern Province B against Griqualand West, in a contest that took place at Cradock or Nxuba in South Africa. To score a fifty is one thing, but to score a mighty fine at that is something truly brilliant- isn't it? This is precisely what Michael van Vuuren (75 first class games on his resume) achieved back in the day. The happening feat occuring 4 decades back in the day.
15 deliveries: Khalid Mahmood for Gujranwala vs Sargodha in Gujranwala (2000-01)
The record for scoring one of the fastest fifties in first-class cricket of all time belongs to Khalid Mahmood who scored a fifteen-ball-fifty back in the 2000-01 season against Sargodha in Gujranwala and for Gujranwala.
15 deliveries: Bandeep Singh for Jammu & Kashmir v Tripura in Agartala (2015-16)
Bandeep Singh struck for J&K a brillaint and fireball of a fifty that came off just 15 odd deliveries in the year 2015-16. When playing against Tripura in a contest held at Agartala, Singh hit a noted half-century.
FAQs
Who holds the record for the fastest fifty in first-class cricket?
Akash Choudhary for Meghalaya v Andhra Pradesh in 2025 achieved a rare feat, in scoring 50 runs off just 14 deliveries, on the whole and smashed bowlers on his way to a strike rate that was north of 357.
Against which first-class side did Ned Eckersley strike his fifty off just 14 deliveries?
It was against Leicester that Ned Eckersley hit a fifty off the fourteen deliveries.
