Top 5 Fastest Centuries in ODI Cricket History
One Day International is one of the most fun and interesting formats of cricket, as the match can be turned anytime. Scoring a century in this format is a commendable achievement for batsmen as it showcases their determination and ability to play with stability. Although the format is 50 overs and a batsman can take as many balls he wants to reach a hundred, there are still some extraordinary batsmen who defied all odds by scoring the fastest centuries in this format. Let’s have a look at the top 5 batsmen to score the fastest ODI century.
5) Asif Khan (UAE) – 41 balls
United Arab Emirates’ batsman Asif Khan surprised everyone on March 16, 2023, when he scored a hundred in just 41 balls against Nepal in Kirtipur. His stunning century included 11 sixes and 4 fours. This inning left the spectators in immense astonishment.
4) Glenn Maxwell (Australia) – 40 balls
The Australian All-rounder Glenn Maxwell has delivered numerous thrilling performances in ODI cricket and one of them came on October 25, 2023, when he smashed a fierce century in just 40 balls. With this, he made the record of hitting the fastest century in the World Cup. Maxwell scored a total of 106 runs in that match in 44 balls, which included nine fours and eight sixes.
3) Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – 37 balls
The former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi delivered a remarkable performance against Sri Lanka on October 4, 1996. Afridi left the whole cricketing world in wonder when he hit a century in just 37 balls. This historic hundred is still one of the best ever seen in One Day International. Afridi scored a total of 102 runs in that match and his innings included 11 sixes and six fours. Interestingly, this was Afridi’s second ODI of his career and he became talk of the town after this breathtaking performance.
2) Corey Anderson (New Zealand) – 36 balls
New Zealand All-rounder Corey Anderson displayed his staggering skills on January 1, 2014, in a rain-curtailed 21-over game. The Kiwis put up 283 runs on board that included two of the fastest centuries in the history of One-Day International. Corey Andreson took just 36 balls to reach his hundred and break Shahid Afridi’s 15-year-old record. Anderson’s final score in the match was 131*. His lit inning included 14 sixes and 6 fours.
1) AB de Villiers (South Africa) – 31 balls
The former South African captain AB De Villiers gave the spectators a marvelous show on January 18, 2015, in a match against West Indies. He made the record of scoring the fastest century of all time, taking mere 31 balls to reach the milestone. De Villiers final score in the game was 149, which included phenomenal 16 sixes and 9 fours.