Fastest ODI centuries : Sanath Jayasuriya`s 48-ball ton vs Pakistan, 1996

Saturday, July 12, 2025

Fastest ODI centuries

Shahid Afridi 37-ball century against Sri Lanka, 1996

Scored in 1996, it remains to be the fastest ton scored by any batsmen in ODIs. The blitzkrieg knock also remains to be the most significant highlight in Afridi’s career as he hit the fastest century in 37 balls. This was against Sri Lanka in Nairobi. He scored 28 runs off one Sanath Jayasuriya`s over. His century included 11 sixes and 6 fours. He was just 16-year-old when he created this remarkable record.

Mark Boucher`s 44-ball ton vs Zimbabwe, 2006

Boucher who bats lower down the order for his side had scored the winning runs against World No. 1 Australia in that historic match where the Kangaroos scored 434 runs. Few months later, the wicketkeeper batsman once again proved how handy he can be with the bat. Boucher rushed to his century off just 44 balls. He went on to score 147 runs from 68 balls.

Brian Lara`s 45-ball ton vs Bangladesh, 1999

Following a horrendous show at the 1999 World Cup, Lara was appointed as the skipper of the national side and West Indies had to play a two-match ODI series against Bangladesh. The batting legend led from the front as he promoted himself to open the innings and smashed Bangaldesh bowlers all over the park. He completed his century off just 45 balls and finally scored 117 runs from 62 balls.

Shahid Afridi`s 45-ball ton against India, 2005

He might have the record of the world`s fastest century, yet this one was a special knock for Afridi as it came against arch-rivals India.

India batted first and scored 250 runs. Afridi made sure that his side chased the target easily with over 8 overs remaining. Afridi faced just one more ball after reaching the three-figure mark but he had already done the damage.

Sanath Jayasuriya`s 48-ball ton vs Pakistan, 1996

In the absence of Wasim Akram, Jayasuriya went with all guns blazing as a he hit 11 boundaries and same number of sixes to reach his ton off just 48 ball.

In total, Jayasuriya scored 134 runs from 65 balls.

By Suyash Srivastava