T20I cricket: T20 is a really tough game for the players as it takes a lot from the cricketers in a short span of time. However, on the other hand, it gives an incredible opportunity to players of any age to showcase their skills. However, in the early years, it was called a youngster’s game, but we have seen many veteran cricketers dominating this format over the years.
But still, there are many young cricketers who have shown that they are as good as the veterans in the game. That is the reason we have seen many young players coming through the ranks and performing. But do you know who is the youngest player to score a century in T20I games? In this article, we will cover the list of the youngest players to score a T20 international century.
3. Sivakumar Periyalwar (21 years 161 days) from Romania
A total of 90 countries have received T20 international status. Romania and Turkey are also among them. In a match between these two countries on August 29th, 2019, in the Continental Cup, Sivakumar Periyalwar became the third youngest player to score a T20I century. After winning the toss, Turkey decided to bowl first. Romania had a decent start and an unbeaten century from Periyalwar helped them score 226/6 in their 20 overs.
Periyalwar scored 105 off 40 balls with 12 fours and six maximums. He was 21 years and 161 days old when he scored that century. In reply, Turkey were bowled out for 53 runs in their chase, only two batters went past the 10-run mark. As a result, they lost the game by 173 runs.
2. Hazratullah Zazai (20 years 337 days) from Afghanistan
Afghanistan is one of the toughest teams when it comes to the shorter format. They have got some world-class players that have played in various leagues around the world. Rashid Khan, Mohammed Nabi, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, and many more are some of the big names from this country. Hazratullah Zazai is also a batting superstar who hails from Afghanistan and who is the second youngest player with a T20I century. It was a match against Ireland on February 23, 2019.
Afghanistan won the toss and decided to bat first. They had a really good start and both openers added a record partnership of 236 runs for the first wicket. Usman Ghani scored 73 off 48 balls. Zazai was unstoppable that day. He registered the second highest score in T20 internationals by a batter and became the youngest player to score a century. Zazai held that record for the youngest century for almost three years. He made 162 runs off just 62 balls with 11 fours and 16 sixes and Afghanistan made the highest ever team total in T20I of 278/3. In reply, Ireland got all out for 194 and lost the match by 84 runs.
1. Gustav Mckeon (18 years 280 days) from France (Youngest in T20I)
Gustav Mckeon, who hails from France, broke the record of Hazratullah Zazai and became the youngest player in history to score a century in T20 internationals. It was the 7th match of the 2022 ICC World Cup Sub-Regional Qualifier Group B, between France and Switzerland. Batting first, France made 157/5 in their 20 overs. Gustav Mckeon, who came out to open the innings, scored an unbeaten century. He made 109* runs off 61 balls, with five fours and nine sixes.
However, his century couldn’t help his team win the match. Switzerland chased down the target off the very last ball of the innings and won the game by just one wicket in hand. However, despite the result of the match, Gustav Mckeon created history by becoming the youngest batter to score a T20I century, and he was only 18 years and 280 days old at the time.
List of Youngest Batsman to score a T20I Century
Player | Country | Born | Match Date | Against | Venue | Age at Match Date | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gustav Mckeon | France | 18/10/2003 | 25/07/2022 | Switzerland | Tikkurila Cricket Ground | 18 years 280 days | 109 |
Hazratullah Zazai | Afghanistan | 23/03/1998 | 23/02/2019 | Ireland | Rajiv Gandhi International | 20 years 337 days | 162* |
Sivakumar Periyalwar | Romania | 21/03/1998 | 29/08/2019 | Turkey | Moara Vlasiei Cricket Ground | 21 years 161 days | 105* |
Orchide Tuyisenge | Rwanda | 12/04/2000 | 19/10/2021 | Seychelles | Gahanga International | 21 years 190 days | 100* |
Dipendra Airee | Nepal | 24/01/2000 | 02/04/2022 | Malaysia | Tribhuvan University International | 22 years 68 days | 110* |
Sabawoon Davizi | Czech Republic | 22/06/1997 | 20/10/2019 | Malta | Marsa Sports Club | 22 years 120 days | 101 |
Ahmed Shehzad | Pakistan | 23/11/1991 | 30/03/2014 | Bangladesh | Al Amerat Cricket Ground | 22 years 127 days | 111* |
Matthew Spoors | Canada | 06/05/1999 | 18/02/2022s | Philippines | National Sports Academy | 22 years 288 days | 108* |
Aravinda De Silva | Bulgaria | 23/03/1998 | 24/06/2021 | Serbia | Daren Sammy National | 23 years 93 days | 100* |
Suresh Raina | India | 27/11/1986 | 02/05/2010 | South Africa | Bay Oval | 23 years 156 days | 101 |