Fastest centuries in Asia Cup history

Scoring a century itself requires a lot of skill. On top of that, in order to be the fastest cricketer to do so, one needs to play sensibly and needs to turn every delivery into an opportunity. In a tournament like the Asia Cup, the job gets tougher, because there is enormous pressure. However, there are some cricketers over the years who have managed to keep calm and get the job done for their team.

Other than being aggressive, one also needs to be street smart and the team management should back them to play such a brand of cricket. So who are these cricketers to hit the fastest centuries in Asia Cup history? Let’s dissect:

3. Suresh Raina versus Hong Kong – 66 balls

In 2008, flamboyant India batter Suresh Raina hit a century in just 66 deliveries against Hong Kong. That is currently the third fastest in the history of the competition. In the match, then-India skipper MS Dhoni also hit a century as India posted 374 runs in the first innings. With the ball, Piyush Chawla picked up four wickets as the Men in Blue won the match by 256 runs.

2. Sanath Jayasuriya versus Bangladesh – 55 balls

Former Sri Lanka international Sanath Jayasuriya was known for his incredible power-hitting. In the 2008 edition of the Asia Cup, the southpaw wreaked havoc, hitting a century in just 55 deliveries against Bangladesh. Courtesy of that, Sri Lanka posted 332 runs on board and eventually won the match by 158 runs. Jayasuriya was also adjudged Player of the Match.

1. Shahid Afridi versus Bangladesh – 53 balls

Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi played multiple blistering knocks throughout his Asia Cup career. One such came in the 2010 edition of the competition when the cricketer hit a century against Bangladesh in just 53 deliveries. He eventually hit 124 runs in 60 deliveries as the Men in Green posted 385 runs. Pakistan eventually won the match by 139 runs and Afridi was adjudged Player of the Match.