Fastest fifties for South Africa in Champions Trophy (balls faced)
What's the story
Choosing to bat first South Africa managed a total of 315/6 against Afghanistan in their opener in Karachi.
As per Cricbuzz, Aiden Markram smashed the fastest ICC Champions Trophy fifty by a Proteas batter.
Markram got to his fifty in 33 balls. He finished on an unbeaten score of 52.
We decode the quickest fifties for SA in the Champions Trophy (by balls faced).
#1
33 balls - Aiden Markram vs AFG, Karachi, 2025
As mentioned Markram now owns the record of the fastest fifty by a South African batter, surpassing Graeme Smith's record of 40 balls.
His 33-ball fifty is his 12th half-century and his second against Agghanistan, alongside three tons.
Meanwhile, he smashed six fours and a six.
Overall, he has now raced to 2,340 ODI runs across 75 matches (72 innings) at 37.14.
#2
40 balls - Graeme Smith vs SL, Centurion, 2009
In a rain-hit opening game against Sri Lanka (2009), Graeme Smith smashed a 40-ball 50.
Although Sri Lanka won by 55 runs (D/L method), Smith's fifty became the then fastest by an SA batter in Champions Trophy.
He was dismissed scoring 58 off 44 balls (nine fours, one six).
The batter retired with 6,989 runs at 37.98, including 10 hundreds and 47 fifties.
#2
40 balls - Ryan McLaren vs IND, Cardiff, 2013
Ryan McLaren shares the record of second-fastest fifty by a Proteas batter, having managed the feat in 40 balls.
McLaren equaled the record in the opening CT match against India (2013).
Meanwhile, he remained unbeaten on 71 off 61 balls (11 boundaries, one maximum) as SA lost by 26 runs.
The all-rounder retired with 485 runs (41 innings) with 71* as his highest score.