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When Shahid Afridi Shattered Opposition With Fastest Century Using Tendulkar's Bat

image-llrv7cxaShahid Afridi used Tendulkar's bat to Score his fastest ODI hundred [Twitter]

In the annals of cricket history, there are moments that redefine the sport and etch a player's name in golden letters. One such remarkable instance occurred on a sunny day in Nairobi, Kenya, during the KCA Centenary Tournament on October 4, 1996. 

The match was the sixth affair of the series, but it marked the debut series of a young Pakistani cricketer who would soon become a legend – Shahid Afridi.

Afridi's introduction to the ODI stage was nothing short of sensational. After missing out on a batting opportunity in his debut match against Kenya, he made an indelible mark in his first innings against Sri Lanka. The defining moment came when Afridi blazed his way to the fastest ODI century of its time, achieving the feat in just 37 balls.


Watch: Shahid Afridi using Sachin Tendulkar’s bat

The revelation that adds another layer to this already remarkable tale is the fact that the bat Afridi wielded during this historic innings was none other than Sachin Tendulkar's. Walking in at No. 3 after the early dismissal of Salim Elahi, Afridi seized the occasion with unmatched fervor, smashing 11 sixes and six boundaries to amass his record-breaking century. 

The bat, a gift from Tendulkar himself, unknowingly contributed to Afridi's meteoric rise, eventually leading him to become a pivotal figure in Pakistan's ODI setup. His captaincy and leadership guided the team to the semi-finals of the 2011 World Cup.


Former Pakistani cricketer's words capture the significance of this unique event:

 "I have safely kept the bat with which I played my first innings. The bat created history. It was Sachin's bat and he is one of my favourite players. I created a world record from his bat." 

He expressed gratitude to Waqar Younis, who handed him the bat before the match, in a YouTube video interview in 2021.

The momentous match against Sri Lanka took place as part of the KCA Centenary Tournament in Nairobi, Kenya, on October 4, 1996. This marked Afridi's debut series, and his explosive performance contributed to Pakistan's commanding total of 371/9 in 50 overs. Sri Lanka's pursuit fell short as they were bowled out for 289, resulting in a victory for Pakistan by a margin of 82 runs.


Reflecting on the innings that marked a turning point in his career, Afridi emphasised,

 "The bat played a major role in the making of Shahid Afridi. It's very special for me." 

He revealed that although he briefly considered using the bat in subsequent matches, he ultimately decided to preserve its legacy.