Stats: Sharjeel Khan claims fourth fastest Pakistani century

Pakistan southpaw Sharjeel Khan broke records with a wonderfully compiled 152 against Ireland at The Village Cricket Ground in Malahide. However, his innings saw him smash records as he became the fourth fastest Pakistan century. The previous three fastest centuries belonged to former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi. Moreover, Sharjeel’s innings ensured that he also became the third fastest player to reach the 150-run mark, joining the likes of South African skipper AB de Villiers who holds the record for the fastest One-Day International century.

The fastest ODI ton came from the bat of Shahid Afridi when he blasted an audacious 102 runs of just 40 deliveries. Pakistan played Sri Lanka on the fourth of October in 1996 when a young Shahid Afridi set Nairobi ablaze courtesy of his 102. He was supported by Pakistani legendary batsman Saeed Anwar who came up with a ton of his own as the Pakistanis clinched an important win over their Asian rivals in the KCA Centenary tournament.

Ironically, Afridi’s next couple of centuries which would go on to become the fastest ones in number two and number three came against Asian sides as well. He smashed a 100 off 45 deliveries against India at Kanpur and 100 off 53 deliveries against Bangladesh at Dambulla, something that was supremely important in the grander scheme of things as far as the bigger picture of Pakistan cricket is concerned.

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The fourth obviously came from Sharjeel who smashed his ton in just 61. Shahid Afridi’s exploits when it comes to making the big scores can be found in the eighth position where he is tied with former Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf having smashed a ton of just 68 deliveries. Shoaib Malik, Abdul Razzaq, and Umar Akmal complete the list and are subsequently separated from each other by just one solitary delivery.

Top-10 fastest ODI centuries by Pakistan players: