Top 5 Slowest Fifties in ODI Cricket History: In the world of One Day Internationals (ODIs), batsmen are often expected to score quickly, adapting to the game’s modern demands. However, there have been instances where players have taken an unusually long time to reach the 50-run mark, either due to difficult playing conditions or a cautious approach. These innings stand out as some of the slowest half-centuries in the history of ODI cricket.

One such moment occurred in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy opener, where Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam played a painstakingly slow innings against New Zealand. His approach was widely discussed, as it highlighted the balance between anchoring an innings and maintaining a competitive scoring rate. Here, we look at the Top 5 Slowest Fifties in ODI Cricket History

1. I Maraj (Canada) – 155 Balls

• Year: 2003
• Runs: 53*
• Balls Faced: 155
• Strike Rate: 34.19
• Match: Canada vs South Africa

In an ODI match where scoring was expected to be brisk, Canada’s I Maraj produced the slowest-ever fifty in ODI history. Facing a daunting South African bowling attack, Maraj’s defensive approach saw him take 155 balls to reach the milestone. His strike rate of just 34.19 remains the lowest for any batsman to reach a half-century in an ODI.

2. AR Odedara (Oman) – 127 Balls

• Year: 2024
• Runs: 54*
• Balls Faced: 127
• Strike Rate: 42.51
• Match: Oman vs USA

Playing in a low-scoring contest, Oman’s AR Odedara took a painstaking 127 deliveries to reach his fifty. His innings, while resilient, struggled to add momentum to the team’s total, marking one of the slowest fifties in ODI cricket.

3. Azhar Hossain (Bangladesh) – 126 Balls

• Year: 1990
• Runs: 54
• Balls Faced: 126
• Strike Rate: 42.85
• Match: Bangladesh vs India

Azhar Hossain’s innings in 1990 was a testament to patience, but it also displayed the struggles Bangladesh faced against established cricketing nations. With a strike rate of just 42.85, his slow innings contributed to one of the longest fifties in ODI history.

4. Faruk Ahmed (Bangladesh) – 126 Balls

• Year: 1990
• Runs: 57
• Balls Faced: 126
• Strike Rate: 45.23
• Match: Bangladesh vs Pakistan

In the same year as Azhar Hossain’s slow innings, Faruk Ahmed matched the record by taking the exact number of balls—126—to reach his fifty. His cautious approach reflected the defensive mindset of Bangladesh’s early cricketing years.

5. Mehrab Hossain Jr (Bangladesh) – 111 Balls

• Year: 2006
• Runs: 54
• Balls Faced: 111
• Strike Rate: 48.64
• Match: Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe

Mehrab Hossain Jr’s slow knock of 54 off 111 balls showcased extreme patience but also slowed down Bangladesh’s run rate in their encounter against Zimbabwe. His innings remains one of the slowest in ODI cricket.

Babar Azam’s Slow Fifty in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy

One of the most recent and talked-about slow fifties was played by Pakistan’s forme captain Babar Azam in the opening match of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy against New Zealand. Babar, known for his elegant stroke play, took an uncharacteristic amount of deliveries to reach his fifty, raising questions about his approach in a high-stakes match. While the slow innings was meant to stabilize Pakistan’s innings, it also put pressure on the lower-order batters to accelerate the scoring later on.

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