Five Fastest Asia Cup Centuries In History

Sanath Jayasuriya holds numerous Asia Cup records [Twitter]

For far too long, Asia Cup has stood out as the ultimate battleground for limited-overs supremacy within the subcontinent. This continental competition symbolises fierce rivalry among competing nations, while also providing a platform for cricketers to etch their names in its rich history books.

One such record that exemplifies the competitive nature of Asia Cup matches is the pursuit of achieving some of the fastest centuries in the history of the tournament. Over the years, several accomplished batters have reached this milestone, only to find their achievements usurped by someone else down the line.

Ahead of the much-awaited Asia Cup 2023 in Sri Lanka and Pakistan, we at OneCricket take a closer look at a few of these exchanges to compile a list of five fastest centuries in Asia Cup history.

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Shahid Afridi (53 balls in 2010)

Shahid Afridi in action against Bangladesh in 2010 Asia Cup (AP)

In match number five of the 2010 Asia Cup, Shahid Afridi bludgeoned Bangladeshi bowlers in Dambulla throughout his 60-ball stay at the crease. The then Pakistani captain scored 124 runs in all, and reached the triple-figures off just the 53rd ball of his innings.

Facing the likes of Shakib Al Hasan and Mashrafe Mortaza, the batting barbarian belted 17 boundaries and four sixes in the process.

Through his run-riot in Dambulla, Afridi shattered a two-year-old record, and entered Asia Cup’s milestone books to etch his name at the summit of fastest centuries.

Sanath Jayasuriya (55 balls in 2008)

Sanath Jayasuriya in beast mode against BAN in 2008 Asia Cup (Twitter)

Sanath Jayasuriya raced to a 55-ball hundred against Bangladesh in 2008 to register the second fastest century of his glittering ODI career. His whirlwind knock also became Asia Cup’s fastest-ever century, until a barbaric Shahid Afridi overcame the feat by two deliveries two years later.

Jayasuriya’s Karachi epic was motorized by six towering sixes and 16 elegant boundaries, which also boosted Sri Lanka’s total to 332-8, and eventually, factored towards their 158-run win.

Suresh Raina (66 balls in 2008)

Suresh Raina went ballistic against Hong Kong in 2008 Asia Cup (Twitter)

In the second Group B game from 2008, Suresh Raina decided to plunder a hapless Hong Kong bowling attack across a flat Karachi turf. The dynamic southpaw cut, pulled, drove and clobbered his way to a record 66-ball ton against the associate nation.

For five brief days, Raina’s innings stood out as Asia Cup’s fastest-ever recorded century, until Sri Lanka’s batting machine Sanath Jayasuriya bettered the record at the same venue.

Nonetheless, Raina’s 101-run epic engineered a massive 256-run victory for the Indian team, and the innings itself continues to remain the fastest ever century by any Indian cricketer across all Asia Cups.

Shahid Afridi (68 balls in 2010)

Shahid Afridi during 2010 Asia Cup (Twitter)

Leading Pakistan and chasing his country’s dream of securing their second-ever Asia Cup in 2010, Shahid Afridi unfurled possibly the innings of the tournament in the opening game itself. Chasing 243 to defeat hosts Sri Lanka, the batting veteran took guard at the crease after his side slumped to 32-4 in the 14th over of the run-chase.

From thereon, Afridi conjured up enough energy to overcome a charged-up Malinga, top-order failure, a mounting required rate; all while struggling with cramps.

He mounted over the Sri Lankan bowlers to stroke 100 runs from just 68 deliveries (109 from 76 balls before dismissal) to notch up one of the best batting efforts of his glittering ODI career. Unfortunately, even the best of his attempts was sidelined by hosts’ perseverance that day as his side fell short by 16 runs.

Remarkably, Afridi belted another 55-ball ton later in the same tournament, to script two of the five quickest all-time Asia Cup centuries in a single edition.

Sanath Jayasuriya (72 balls in 1997)

Sanath Jayasuriya in action (Twitter)

Sanath Jayasuriya unleashed his full fury on Bangladesh bowlers in a 1997 Asia Cup game in front of his home crowd at Colombo. The batting marauder brandished his bat at his opponents to chart an imperious 108.

The left-handed giant raced to his 100 off just 72 deliveries, and his innings was sparked with 14 elegant hits to the fence, and three over it.

Jayasuriya’s Colombo mammoth also turned out to be Asia Cup’s fastest-ever individual hundred. The record itself stood tall for 11 years until Raina clubbed a 66-ball ton in Karachi. The Lankan seemed determined to keep the record for himself as it took him just five days to snatch away the deal from the Indian left-hander, as mentioned earlier in the list.

Fastest Centuries in Asia Cup History (ODI) Top 5 List

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