Twenty-eight years ago on October 4, Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi stamped his authority as arguably the best big-hitter in world cricket at that time by smashing the then fastest century in ODIs.
Pushed up to bat at number three against Sri Lanka to get some quick runs, Afridi completed his century in mere 37 balls to better the record by 11 balls. It was only his second international match.
Previous to that, Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya led that list with his 48-ball hundred.
Afridi’s knock in the KCA Centenary Tournament included a 28-run over — a record at that time. He also hammered 11 sixes, which equalled Jayasuriya’s record for most sixes hit by a batsman in an ODI century knock.
Afridi, who also bowled leg-spin, ended with 102 and powered Pakistan to 371 for 9. Opener Saeed Anwar also scored a century (115) in that match. Chasing a mammoth total, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 289 to lose the game by 82 runs despite Aravinda de Silva’s majestic 122.
The Pakistan all-rounder’s record of fastest hundred was broken in 2013 by New Zealand’s Corey Anderson, who took a delivery less than Afridi to reach the three-figure mark in 36 balls.
South Africa’s AB de Villiers, who was famous for his 360-degree strokeplay, then smashed a 31-ball hundred to displace Anderson at the top.
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