Who hit 50 runs in 12 balls?

Yuvraj Singh’s Unforgettable 12-Ball Blitz at the T20 World Cup

One of the most explosive innings in T20 World Cup history came not from a finisher in the death overs, but from a fearless left-hander who rewrote the record books in a matter of moments. Yuvraj Singh's 50 off just 12 balls remains the fastest half-century in the tournament’s history—a feat that still leaves fans in awe years later.

It happened during a high-pressure group stage clash, when England’s Stuart Broad, aiming for a tight over, instead served up one of the most destructive sequences ever witnessed. Yuvraj, unfazed, launched into the bowling with brutal precision. Six sixes in a single over—the first player ever to achieve this in international cricket—followed by a four, turning a tense contest into a one-sided spectacle. In total, his 58 came from only 16 deliveries, laced with three boundaries and seven towering maximums.

That over didn’t just swing the match—it became iconic. A blend of raw power, perfect timing, and fearless intent, it captured the essence of T20 cricket at its most electrifying. While records come and go, Yuvraj’s onslaught stands tall, not just for the numbers, but for the sheer audacity of it. It wasn’t merely a half-century; it was a statement.

Even today, nearly a decade on, highlights of that Broad over continue to do the rounds every time a batter starts swinging freely. It’s a reminder of the moment Yuvraj Singh didn’t just play the game—he changed how we think about scoring in the shortest format. And with that 12-ball fifty, he etched his name into cricketing folklore.