Scoring a century in international cricket is a remarkable achievement, but reaching the three-figure mark at lightning speed is even more special. Pakistan has produced several explosive batters who have entertained fans with fearless stroke play and record-breaking hundreds. From Shahid Afridi’s iconic 37-ball century to modern stars like Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam, Pakistan’s batting history is filled with unforgettable innings. Top 10 Pakistani Batsmen to Score the Fastest Centuries
This article ranks the Top 10 Pakistani batsmen to score the fastest centuries in international cricket, considering all formats, with a primary focus on the number of balls faced
Shahid Afridi – 37 Balls vs Sri Lanka (ODI, 1996)
No discussion about fast centuries is complete without Shahid Afridi. At just 16 years old, Afridi announced himself to the cricketing world by smashing a century off only 37 balls against Sri Lanka in Nairobi. Top 10 Pakistani Batsmen to Score the Fastest Centuries
Using Sachin Tendulkar’s bat, Afridi struck 11 sixes and 6 fours in a breathtaking innings of 102. His record stood as the fastest ODI century in history for nearly 18 years.
Career Highlights
| Achievement | Record |
|---|---|
| Opponent | Sri Lanka |
| Venue | Nairobi |
| Balls for 100 | 37 |
| Final Score | 102 |
| Sixes | 11 |
Shahid Afridi – 45 Balls vs India (ODI, 2005)
Afridi appears again on the list with another incredible knock against Pakistan’s arch-rivals.
He blasted a century in just 45 balls in Kanpur, producing one of the most destructive batting displays against India.
Career Highlights
| Achievement | Record |
|---|---|
| Opponent | India |
| Venue | Kanpur |
| Balls for 100 | 45 |
| Final Score | 102 |
| Sixes | 9 |
Ahmed Shehzad – 58 Balls vs Bangladesh (T20I, 2014)
Ahmed Shehzad became the first Pakistani to score a T20 International century.
His unbeaten 111 off 62 balls included a century in just 58 deliveries, helping Pakistan secure a comfortable victory.
Career Highlights
| Achievement | Record |
|---|---|
| Opponent | Bangladesh |
| Format | T20I |
| Balls for 100 | 58 |
| Final Score | 111* |
Babar Azam – 58 Balls vs New Zealand (ODI, 2023)
Babar Azam showcased that elegant batting can also be explosive.
Against New Zealand, he reached his century in 58 balls, combining classical stroke play with controlled aggression.
Career Highlights
| Achievement | Record |
|---|---|
| Opponent | New Zealand |
| Venue | Lahore |
| Balls for 100 | 58 |
| Final Score | 107 |
Fakhar Zaman – 60 Balls vs Zimbabwe (ODI, 2018)
Fakhar Zaman produced one of Pakistan’s greatest ODI innings by scoring 210*, becoming the country’s first ODI double-centurion.
He completed his century in just 60 balls before accelerating further.
Career Highlights
| Achievement | Record |
|---|---|
| Opponent | Zimbabwe |
| Balls for 100 | 60 |
| Final Score | 210* |
| Pakistan’s First ODI Double Century | Yes |
Mohammad Rizwan – 64 Balls vs South Africa (T20I, 2021)
Mohammad Rizwan became one of Pakistan’s most reliable T20 batters with his remarkable consistency.
His unbeaten century against South Africa came from just 64 balls, featuring powerful yet calculated stroke play.
Career Highlights
| Achievement | Record |
|---|---|
| Opponent | South Africa |
| Format | T20I |
| Balls for 100 | 64 |
| Final Score | 104* |
Imran Nazir – 67 Balls vs Zimbabwe (ODI, 2007)
Imran Nazir was one of Pakistan’s most naturally aggressive openers.
His explosive batting against Zimbabwe saw him reach his century in 67 balls, entertaining fans with fearless hitting.
Career Highlights
| Achievement | Record |
|---|---|
| Opponent | Zimbabwe |
| Balls for 100 | 67 |
| Final Score | 160 |
Salman Ali Agha – 67 Balls vs South Africa (T20I, 2024)
Salman Ali Agha announced himself as a powerful middle-order batter with a brilliant T20I century.
His hundred, completed in 67 balls, demonstrated his ability to accelerate under pressure.
Career Highlights
| Achievement | Record |
|---|---|
| Opponent | South Africa |
| Format | T20I |
| Balls for 100 | 67 |
| Final Score | 100+ |
Inzamam-ul-Haq – 69 Balls vs New Zealand (ODI, 2002)
Known for his effortless timing, Inzamam-ul-Haq could also score rapidly when required.
His century against New Zealand came from only 69 balls, highlighting his ability to dominate quality bowling attacks.
Career Highlights
| Achievement | Record |
|---|---|
| Opponent | New Zealand |
| Balls for 100 | 69 |
| Final Score | 117 |
Saeed Anwar – 70 Balls vs India (ODI, 1997)
Saeed Anwar’s famous innings of 194 against India remains one of the greatest ODI knocks ever played.
He reached his century in approximately 70 balls, combining elegance with aggression before rewriting Pakistan’s batting record.
Career Highlights
| Achievement | Record |
|---|---|
| Opponent | India |
| Venue | Chennai |
| Balls for 100 | 70 |
| Final Score | 194 |
Honorable Mentions
- Mohammad Hafeez
- Shoaib Malik
- Umar Akmal
- Kamran Akmal
- Sharjeel Khan
- Abdullah Shafique (Test)
These players have also produced memorable centuries at impressive strike rates during their international careers.
Fastest ODI Centuries by Pakistan (Top 5)
| Rank | Player | Balls | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shahid Afridi | 37 | Sri Lanka | 1996 |
| 2 | Shahid Afridi | 45 | India | 2005 |
| 3 | Babar Azam | 58 | New Zealand | 2023 |
| 4 | Fakhar Zaman | 60 | Zimbabwe | 2018 |
| 5 | Imran Nazir | 67 | Zimbabwe | 2007 |
What Makes a Fast Century Special?
A fast century is about more than just power. The greatest quick hundreds are built on:
- Positive intent from the first ball.
- Excellent shot selection.
- Clean ball-striking.
- Ability to handle pressure.
- Smart running between the wickets.
- Consistency against high-quality bowling.
Pakistan’s fastest centurions combined fearless aggression with exceptional talent to produce unforgettable innings.
Conclusion
Pakistan has produced some of the most explosive batters in cricket history, but Shahid Afridi’s 37-ball century against Sri Lanka in 1996 remains the gold standard. It transformed limited-overs batting and stood as the world’s fastest ODI century for nearly two decades. Modern stars such as Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, and Mohammad Rizwan have continued Pakistan’s tradition of aggressive batting, while players like Ahmed Shehzad, Imran Nazir, and Inzamam-ul-Haq have also delivered breathtaking hundreds.
These innings are remembered not only for their speed but also for the excitement, confidence, and match-winning impact they brought to Pakistan cricket.
5 FAQs – Top 10 Pakistani Batsmen to Score the Fastest Centuries
1. Who scored the fastest century for Pakistan in international cricket?
Shahid Afridi holds the record for the fastest century by a Pakistani in international cricket. He scored a sensational 100 off just 37 balls against Sri Lanka in an ODI at Nairobi in 1996, a world record that stood for nearly 18 years.
2. Who is the fastest Pakistani to score a T20I century?
Ahmed Shehzad was the first Pakistani to score a T20I century, reaching the milestone in 58 balls against Bangladesh during the 2014 ICC T20 World Cup.
3. Which Pakistani batsman scored the fastest ODI century against India?
Shahid Afridi scored the fastest ODI century by a Pakistani against India, reaching his hundred in 45 balls at Kanpur in 2005. He finished with a blistering 102 off 46 deliveries.
4. Who was the first Pakistani to score a double century in ODI cricket?
Fakhar Zaman became the first Pakistani batter to score a double century in ODIs when he made an unbeaten 210 against Zimbabwe* in Bulawayo in 2018. He reached his century in just 60 balls before converting it into a historic double hundred.
5. Which active Pakistani batsman has the fastest ODI century?
Among active Pakistan cricketers, Babar Azam is one of the fastest to score an ODI century. He reached his hundred in 58 balls against New Zealand in Lahore in 2023, showcasing his ability to combine elegant stroke play with aggressive scoring.