Asif Khan achieves the fastest ODI century by an associate player

During the final game of the 2019-2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2, in which Nepal was fighting for a place in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Qualifier, UAE cricketer Asif Khan recorded the fastest ODI century by an associate player and the fourth fastest century in ODI history.

It was a must-win game for Nepal to advance from the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Qualifier.

UAE scored 310/6 in 50 overs after opting to bat first against hosts Nepal at Kirtipur. While captain and opener Muhammad Waseem scored 63 off 49 balls and Vriitya Aravind scored 94 off 138 balls, no.7 batter Asif Khan scored a 41-ball ODI century.

Asif Khan finished with a score of 101 off 42 balls

In that game, Asif, a 33-year-old former Pakistan U19 cricketer, scored his first ODI century. The right-handed batter scored 101 runs off 42 balls, including four fours and 11 sixes. It was an incredible performance by the UAE batter, who came to bat in the 38th over of that innings with his team trailing at 175/5.

Nepal, on the other hand, fought valiantly, thanks largely to their strong middle-order batting performances. In that big ODI chase, the team had four 50+ scores (Bhim Sharki 67, Aarif Sheikh 52, and Gulsan Jha 50*), including the opener Kushal Bhurtel (50).

The game was called off when they were fighting on 269/6 in 44 overs due to poor lighting. As a result, Nepal defeated Namibia by nine runs (DLS method) to secure a place in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Qualifier.

Asif Khan scores 100 runs in 41 balls

• An associate player’s fastest ODI century.
• A no.7 or lower-order batter has scored the fastest ODI century. Moeen Ali (England) held the previous record with a 53-ball ODI century at the no.7 batting position (vs West Indies at Bristol on 24 September 2017).
• Right-handed batter’s third fastest ODI century.
• The fourth quickest century in ODI history.

Fastest ODI centuries by associate players (Top 5)