In 1996, a young 16-year-old boy from Pakistan shocked the cricket world. His name is Shahid Afridi. In his second ODI match, Afridi smashed a century in only 37 balls against Sri Lanka in Nairobi. It was the fastest ODI hundred at the time, and it made him an overnight superstar.
But what made this story even more special? He used the God of Cricket Bats to score his century.
Whose bat did Shahid Afridi use to score his fastest century?
Not many people know this, but the bat Afridi used wasn’t his own. Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar had given his favorite bat to Pakistani fast bowler Waqar Younis. Sachin asked Waqar to send it to Sialkot, Pakistan’s famous city for making cricket gear, to create a replica. But instead of sending it off, Waqar handed it to young Afridi to use in the match. That simple decision helped create cricket history.
The Knock That Shook the World
In that match, Afridi was sent in at number three. At that time, he was known more for his bowling, not his batting. Pakistan’s captain Wasim Akram wanted someone to attack early and try something new. Afridi did not disappoint.
- He scored 102 runs in 40 balls
- Hit 11 sixes and 6 fours
- Reached his century in just 37 balls
This performance didn’t just break records it changed how people saw Afridi. From that moment, he was no longer just a bowler. He became Pakistan’s power hitter, a man who could win matches with a bat.
What Happened After That
Afridi’s life changed forever after that innings. He became a fan favorite, especially among the youth. People loved his fearless style. That century set the tone for the rest of his career, full of big sixes, fast scores, and exciting cricket.
Even years later, Afridi would say, “Whenever I’m not playing well, I go to YouTube and watch that 37-ball hundred.”
The Record That Lasted Years
Afridi’s record stood tall for 18 years. It wasn’t until 2014 that New Zealand’s Corey Anderson broke it with a 36-ball hundred. Then, in 2015, AB de Villiers set a record for the fastest century in ODI cricket, scoring 31 balls against the West Indies. He scored 149 runs in his innings, hitting 16 sixes and 8 fours. But Afridi’s knock remained more special, not just for the speed, but for the story behind it.
A Fun Fact About the Innings
If you remove the 11 sixes and 6 fours from Afridi’s score, he made just 12 runs from 23 balls. That shows he played with a clear goal: hit big or get out trying. That was his style, and fans loved him for it.
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