The excitement of T20 cricket reaches its peak when a player races to a century in record time. Scoring the fastest century in T20 World Cup is a feat that combines skill, power, and nerves of steel, leaving fans and opponents stunned alike. In this blog, we explore the incredible innings that shattered records, the players who made history, and the unforgettable moments that define T20 World Cup cricket.
Why Scoring a Century in T20 World Cup Is So Special
Scoring a century in T20 cricket is no ordinary feat, and doing it on the grand stage of the World Cup makes it even more extraordinary. With only 120 balls per innings, every run counts, leaving little room for error. The pressure from fast bowlers, high stakes of the tournament, and roaring crowds make each ball a test of skill and nerve.
Achieving a century in such conditions showcases not just a player’s talent, but also their ability to dominate the game, adapt quickly, and turn the momentum in their team’s favor. It’s a blend of precision, power, and mental toughness that separates legends from the rest.
Top Fastest 100 in T20 World Cup History
Scoring a century in a T20 World Cup match is a monumental achievement, but doing it in record time is what truly sets legends apart. Over the years, several players have made history with lightning-fast hundreds that not only stunned fans but also shifted the momentum of crucial matches.
Here’s a look at some of the fastest centuries in T20 World Cup history, highlighting the players, balls faced, and the matches where they left an unforgettable mark:
| Player | Balls Faced | Match | Date |
| CH Gayle | 47 | West Indies v England | 16/03/2016 |
| CH Gayle | 50 | West Indies v South Africa | 11/09/2007 |
| BB McCullum | 51 | New Zealand v Bangladesh | 21/09/2012 |
| RR Rossouw | 52 | South Africa v Bangladesh | 27/10/2022 |
| Ahmed Shehzad | 58 | Pakistan v Bangladesh | 30/03/2014 |
| SK Raina | 59 | India v South Africa | 02/05/2010 |
| AD Hales | 60 | England v Sri Lanka | 27/03/2014 |
| Tamim Iqbal | 60 | Bangladesh v Oman | 13/03/2016 |
| GD Phillips | 61 | New Zealand v Sri Lanka | 29/10/2022 |
| DPMD Jayawardene | 63 | Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe | 03/05/2010 |
CH Gayle – The Universe Boss of T20 Centuries
| Stat | Value |
| Player | Chris Gayle |
| Matches | 79 |
| Innings | 75 |
| Runs | 1899 |
| Highest Score | 117 |
| Average | 27.92 |
| Strike Rate | 137.50 |
| Centuries (100s) | 2 |
| Half-Centuries (50s) | 14 |
| Fours (4s) | 158 |
| Sixes (6s) | 124 |
Chris Gayle, famously known as the “Universe Boss,” is a legend in T20 cricket and has left an indelible mark on the T20 World Cup with his explosive batting. He holds the record for one of the fastest centuries in T20 World Cup history, smashing 100 runs in just 47 balls against England on 16th March 2016.
Remarkably, he had previously scored another rapid hundred off 50 balls against South Africa in 2007, proving his consistency and dominance on the big stage. Gayle’s fearless stroke play, towering sixes, and ability to take control of any innings make him one of the most feared and celebrated T20 batsmen ever.
BB McCullum – New Zealand’s Explosive Trailblazer
| Stat | Value |
| Player | Brendon McCullum |
| Matches | 71 |
| Innings | 70 |
| Runs | 2140 |
| Highest Score | 123 |
| Average | 35.66 |
| Strike Rate | 136.21 |
| Centuries (100s) | 2 |
| Half-Centuries (50s) | 13 |
| Fours (4s) | 199 |
| Sixes (6s) | 91 |
Brendon McCullum, the fearless New Zealand captain, is celebrated for his aggressive batting and fearless approach in T20 cricket. He made history in the T20 World Cup by scoring one of the fastest centuries in T20 World Cup history, reaching 100 runs in just 51 balls against Bangladesh on 21st September 2012.
Known for his ability to dominate bowlers from the very first delivery, McCullum’s innings were a perfect blend of power, timing, and strategic stroke play. His dynamic style not only set records but also inspired a generation of batsmen to play with audacity and confidence on the world stage.
RR Rossouw – South Africa’s Power Hitter
| Stat | Value |
| Player | Rilee Rossouw |
| Matches | 29 |
| Innings | 27 |
| Runs | 767 |
| Highest Score | 109 |
| Average | 34.86 |
| Strike Rate | 159.79 |
| Centuries (100s) | 2 |
| Half-Centuries (50s) | 3 |
| Fours (4s) | 69 |
| Sixes (6s) | 39 |
RR Rossouw – South Africa’s Power Hitter
| Stat | Value |
| Player | Rilee Rossouw |
| Matches | 29 |
| Innings | 27 |
| Runs | 767 |
| Highest Score | 109 |
| Average | 34.86 |
| Strike Rate | 159.79 |
| Centuries (100s) | 2 |
| Half-Centuries (50s) | 3 |
| Fours (4s) | 69 |
| Sixes (6s) | 39 |
Rilee Rossouw, the dynamic South African batsman, has made his mark in T20 World Cup history with one of the fastest centuries in T20 World Cup, scoring 100 runs in just 52 balls against Bangladesh on 27th October 2022.
Known for his clean hitting and ability to accelerate at crucial moments, Rossouw’s innings exemplify modern T20 aggression. His explosive batting style, combined with calmness under pressure, allows him to dominate bowlers and turn matches around in mere overs. Performances like these have cemented his reputation as one of the most impactful batsmen in the shortest format of the game.
Ahmed Shehzad – Pakistan’s Explosive Opener
| Stat | Value |
| Player | Ahmed Shehzad |
| Matches | 59 |
| Innings | 59 |
| Runs | 1471 |
| Highest Score | 111* |
| Average | 25.80 |
| Strike Rate | 114.74 |
| Centuries (100s) | 1 |
| Half-Centuries (50s) | 7 |
| Fours (4s) | 157 |
| Sixes (6s) | 33 |
Ahmed Shehzad has long been known for his aggressive batting at the top of the order, and he proved his mettle in the T20 World Cup by scoring one of the fastest 100s in T20 World Cup history. His remarkable innings of 100 runs in just 58 balls against Bangladesh on 30th March 2014 demonstrated his ability to dominate bowlers right from the start.
With powerful shots and precise timing, Shehzad’s rapid century gave Pakistan a strong momentum, highlighting how a quick-scoring opener can change the course of a T20 World Cup match.
SK Raina – India’s Dynamic Middle-Order Batsman
| Stat | Value |
| Player | Suresh Raina |
| Matches | 78 |
| Innings | 66 |
| Runs | 1605 |
| Highest Score | 101 |
| Average | 29.18 |
| Strike Rate | 134.87 |
| Centuries (100s) | 1 |
| Half-Centuries (50s) | 5 |
| Fours (4s) | 145 |
| Sixes (6s) | 58 |
Suresh Raina, one of India’s most consistent T20 performers, made headlines with his quick-scoring ability in the World Cup. He achieved a remarkable fastest hundred in T20 World Cup history by scoring 100 runs in just 59 balls against South Africa on 2nd May 2010.
Known for his elegant stroke play and ability to accelerate the innings in crucial moments, Raina’s innings demonstrated how a versatile middle-order batsman can change the momentum of a match. His agility, timing, and power hitting make him one of India’s most impactful T20 players of all time.
AD Hales – England’s Powerful Opener
| Stat | Value |
| Player | Alex Hales |
| Matches | 75 |
| Innings | 75 |
| Runs | 2074 |
| Highest Score | 116* |
| Average | 30.95 |
| Strike Rate | 138.35 |
| Centuries (100s) | 1 |
| Half-Centuries (50s) | 12 |
| Fours (4s) | 225 |
| Sixes (6s) | 70 |
Alex Hales, known for his fearless batting at the top of the order, made a mark in T20 World Cup history with one of the fastest hundreds in T20 cricket, scoring 100 runs in just 60 balls against Sri Lanka on 27th March 2014.
His ability to play aggressive shots from the first ball and maintain a high strike rate makes him a constant threat to bowlers. Hales’ innings exemplify the modern T20 opener’s role—setting the tone for the team while delivering explosive starts that can completely shift the momentum of a match.
Tamim Iqbal – Bangladesh’s Fearless Opener
| Stat | Value |
| Player | Tamim Iqbal |
| Matches | 78 |
| Innings | 78 |
| Runs | 1758 |
| Highest Score | 103* |
| Average | 24.08 |
| Strike Rate | 116.96 |
| Centuries (100s) | 1 |
| Half-Centuries (50s) | 7 |
| Fours (4s) | 188 |
| Sixes (6s) | 45 |
Tamim Iqbal has long been a powerhouse for Bangladesh at the top of the order. He scored one of the fastest 100s in T20 World Cup history against Oman on 13th March 2016, completing his century in just 60 balls. With fearless stroke play and exceptional timing, Tamim has the ability to dominate bowlers early, giving his team a strong start and shifting the momentum in high-pressure T20 matches.
GD Phillips – New Zealand’s Emerging Power Hitter
| Stat | Value |
| Player | Glenn Phillips |
| Matches | 91 |
| Innings | 81 |
| Runs | 2148 |
| Highest Score | 108 |
| Average | 31.13 |
| Strike Rate | 141.78 |
| Centuries (100s) | 2 |
| Half-Centuries (50s) | 11 |
| Fours (4s) | 161 |
| Sixes (6s) | 101 |
Glenn Phillips has quickly made a name for himself as one of New Zealand’s most explosive T20 batsmen. He entered T20 World Cup history with a fastest 100 in T20 World Cup against Sri Lanka on 29th October 2022, reaching 100 runs in just 61 balls. Known for his fearless approach and big-hitting ability, Phillips can change the course of a game in a single innings. His aggressive stroke play and composure under pressure make him a modern T20 threat, capable of taking control and giving his team the momentum when it matters most.
DPMD Jayawardene – Sri Lanka’s Elegant Power Hitter
| Stat | Value |
| Player | DPMD Jayawardene |
| Matches | 55 |
| Innings | 55 |
| Runs | 1493 |
| Highest Score | 100 |
| Average | 31.76 |
| Strike Rate | 133.18 |
| Centuries (100s) | 1 |
| Half-Centuries (50s) | 9 |
| Fours (4s) | 173 |
| Sixes (6s) | 33 |
Mahela Jayawardene, Sri Lanka’s masterful batsman, made his mark in T20 World Cup history by scoring one of the fastest 100s in T20 World Cup against Zimbabwe on 3rd May 2010. His innings combined elegance, precision, and power, showcasing how a top-order batsman can dominate the game while maintaining composure under pressure. Jayawardene’s performance remains a classic example of skill meeting speed on the world stage.
Final Words
Looking at the fastest hundreds in T20 World Cup history, it’s clear that these innings are a combination of talent, precision, and fearless intent. Players like Chris Gayle, BB McCullum, and Alex Hales have redefined what it means to score quickly in the shortest format, while Suresh Raina, Ahmed Shehzad, and Tamim Iqbal have shown consistency and impact under pressure.
Each century, whether scored in 47 balls or just over an hour of batting, demonstrates how T20 cricket continues to evolve. The fastest 100s in T20 World Cup remain benchmarks for future stars, reminding us why this format is so thrilling and unpredictable.
