Often hailed as one of the most popular and prominent formats of international cricket, the One-Day International (ODI) is followed by millions of cricket aficionados from every nook and of the world. The glorious history of the One-Day Internationals, which spans over decades, has been witness to numerous legendary and iconic cricketers, including Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Kamindu Mendis, Temba Bavuma and many others, who have undoubtedly left a lasting impact on the format and have successfully led their respective teams to a glorious streak of victories.
While numerous trailblazing batsmen have garnered enormous praise and recognition from millions of fans for their roaring centuries and fearless approach in the most crucial matches, a few iconic batsmen have also displayed their batting wrath and unmatched consistency by smashing the fastest half-centuries in the format. Have you ever wondered about the top four batsmen who have smashed the fastest half-tons in the history of One-Day Internationals as of April 2026? Well, let’s find out.
In this article we will take a look at the top four batsmen who have scored the fastest half-centuries in the history of the One-Day Internationals (ODIs) as of April 2026.
ODI: Top 4 Batsmen With Fastest Half-Centuries
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AB de Villiers, South Africa
The legendary South African former international cricketer, AB de Villiers is often hailed as one of the greatest batters of his generation at the first spot in our list of the top four batsmen who have smashed the fastest half-centuries in the history of the ODI format as of April 2026. AB de Villiers Represented South Africa across all formats of international cricket between 2004 and 2018.
Widely regarded as one of the most influential cricketer of all time and one of the most dominant batsmen of his generation, AB de Villiers play the record of 228 ODI matches throughout his glorious career and a master report, total of nine, 577 runs at an impressive average of 53.5 and a blistering strike rate of 101.1 establishing himself as one of the most successful batsmen to ever represent South Africa at an international level.
Additionally, AB de Villiers left millions of fans absolutely stunned after he smashed a roaring half century against West Indies on 18 January 2015 of 16 deliveries, which continues to be the fastest half century ever smashed by a cricketer in the history of One-Day Internationals as of April 2026.
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Matthew Forde, West Indies
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At the second spot on our list of the top four batsmen who have scored the fastest half-centuries in the history of the One-Day Internationals (ODIs) as of April 2026, we have the iconic 23-year-old Barbadian cricketer, Matthew Forde, who has the representing West Indies across all formats of international cricket since 2023. In addition to being one of the most influential international cricketers of his generation, Matthew Forde also plays for St Lucia Kings in the Caribbean Premier League and for Dambulla Aura in the Lanka Premier League.
Throughout his star-studded international cricketing career so far, Matthew Forde has played a record total of sixteen One-Day Internationals and has amassed a phenomenal total of 694 runs at a commendable average of 31.6 and a blistering strike rate of 31.5. Additionally, Matthew Forde also displayed his unmatched batting wrath against Ireland on 23 May 2025 after he smashed a match-winning half-century off just sixteen deliveries which continues to be the second-fastest century ever scored by an international cricketer in the history of the One-Day Internationals, ranking him at the second spot on our list.
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Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka
Next, at the third spot on our list of the top four batsmen who have smashed the fastest half-centuries in the history of the ODI format as of April 2026, we have the legendary Sri Lankan former international cricketer, Sanath Jayasuriya, who is still hailed as one of the most successful and lethal batsmen of all-time. Sanath Jayasuriya represented Sri Lanka across all formats of international cricket from 1989 to 2011 and reigned supreme against the deadly bowling attack of even the greatest bowlers across all formats.
Throughout his glorious career which spanned over decades, Sanath Jayasuriya played a record total of 445 One-Day Internationals and amassed a spine-chilling total of 13,430 runs at an impressive average of 32.4 and a blistering strike rate of 91.2, speaking volumes about his dominance in the format. Also, the Sri Lankan former batting sensation, Sanath Jayasuriya left millions of fans from all over the world absolutely stunned after he smashed a roaring half-century against Pakistan on 7 April 1996 off just seventeen deliveries, which continues to be the third-fastest century as of April 2026, ranking him at the third spot on our list.
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Kusal Perera, Sri Lanka
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Finally, at the fourth spot on our list of the top four batsmen who have scored the fastest half-centuries in the history of the One-Day Internationals (ODIs) as of April 2026 we have another Sri Lankan cricket sensation, Kusal Perera who is often hailed as one of the most influential international cricketers of his generation.
The former skipper of the Sri Lankan national cricket team in the ODI format, Kusal Perera has been a mainstay for the Sri Lankan side across all formats of international cricket since 2013 and has played a record total of 116 One-Day Internationals amassing a spine-chilling total of 3,237 runs at an average of 30.5 and a blistering strike rate of 92.9, establishing himself as one of the most reliable flag bearers for Sri Lanka in the format.
Additionally, Kusal Perera also garnered enormous limelight in a spine-chilling match against Pakistan on 15 July 2015 after he smashed a match-winning half-century off just seventeen deliveries, ranking him at the fourth spot on our list as of April 2026.
