Youngest Cricketers to Score a Century – Sayan

Youngest Cricketers to Score a Century in International Cricket

Scoring a century in international cricket is no small achievement. Doing so as a teenager, amid high expectations and against top-tier bowling attacks, demonstrates rare talent and unshakeable composure.

For some, these early hundreds mark the beginning of legendary careers; for others, they are fleeting but unforgettable moments of brilliance. From Test match grinders to ODI sprinters, and even in women’s cricket, prodigies have challenged age to carve their names into history.

Who is the youngest cricketer to score an international century?

The official record belongs to Amy Hunter of Ireland Women, who scored 121* against Zimbabwe on October 11, 2021—her 16th birthday. At exactly 16 years, 0 days, she became the youngest cricketer, male or female, to reach three figures in international cricket. Her composed innings, featuring eight boundaries off 127 balls, lifted Ireland to 312/3 and emphasised the growing prominence of women’s cricket in associate nations.

In the men’s game, the record is held by Shahid Afridi of Pakistan, who, at 16 years and 217 days, scored a 37-ball 102 against Sri Lanka in Nairobi in 1996. It was not just a record but a phenomenon—the fastest century in ODIs at that time, instantly transforming Afridi into “Boom Boom” Afridi.

The top 7 youngest cricketers to score a century

1. Amy Hunter (Ireland women) – 16y 0d, ODI vs Zimbabwe, 2021

The Guinness World Records holder, Hunter, made her mark on her 16th birthday by becoming the youngest-ever to score a century in international cricket. Her maturity at the crease has truly inspired a new generation of Irish women cricketers.

2. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – 16y 217d, ODI vs Sri Lanka, 1996

Afridi’s spectacular 102 off 37 balls remains one of ODI cricket’s most iconic innings. Fearless hitting and raw power elevated him to global stardom overnight.

3. Mohammad Ashraful (Bangladesh) – 17y 61d, Test vs Sri Lanka, 2001

Against a world-class attack, Ashraful scored a fighting 114, becoming the youngest Test centurion. Though his career later fluctuated, this innings remains legendary in Bangladesh cricket.

4.  Mushtaq Mohammad (Pakistan) – 17y 78d, Test vs India, 1961

Mushtaq, the second-youngest Test centurion, scored 101 in Delhi, marking the start of a career characterised by batting brilliance and influential captaincy.

5. Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 17y 107d, Test vs England, 1990

A 17-year-old Tendulkar’s unbeaten 119 at Old Trafford helped India save the Test. It marked the emergence of a player who would go on to score 100 international centuries.

6. Usman Ghani (Afghanistan) – 17y 242d, ODI vs Zimbabwe, 2014

Scoring 118 against Zimbabwe, Ghani announced Afghanistan’s rise on the world stage. His knock was complete of elegant strokes and maturity well beyond his years.

7. Hamilton Masakadza (Zimbabwe) – 17y 352d, Test vs West Indies, 2001

Masakadza scored 119 in a resilient draw, becoming Zimbabwe’s youngest Test centurion. His innings showcased determination and patience against experienced bowlers.

Who is the youngest Indian cricketer to score a century?

The honour goes to Sachin Tendulkar, who at 17 years and 107 days, scored 119* against England in 1990. It wasn’t just a century—it was a declaration of intent from a teenager who would become the game’s most prolific run-scorer. Later, prodigies like Prithvi Shaw (18y 329d, 134 on debut vs West Indies, 2018) carried forward the tradition of early brilliance.

Additionally, Mithali Raj became the youngest Indian female cricketer to score a century, achieving this milestone at 16 years and 205 days during her One Day International (ODI) debut against Ireland in 1999.

Youngest century scorers by format

Test cricket: Mohammad Ashraful (Bangladesh) – 17y 61d

Ashraful’s maiden ton came in his very first Test, making him the youngest Test centurion ever.

ODI cricket: Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – 16y 217d

Afridi’s incredible performance in Nairobi not only made headlines by setting two amazing records—becoming the youngest ODI centurion and hitting the fastest century at that time—but also showed his remarkable talent and determination.

T20I cricket: Hazaratullah Zazai – 20y 337d (for a Test-playing nation)

While male T20I hundreds at a young age are rarer, Afghanistan’s Hazaratullah Zazai scored one at 20 for a Test-playing nation.

What makes these achievements so special?

A century at any level requires skill and composure, but achieving it as a teenager on the international stage is extraordinary. It demonstrates not just talent but a rare clarity of mind. For some, like Tendulkar and Afridi, early milestones propelled them to greatness. For others, like Ashraful, the burden of expectations proved more challenging to bear. Either way, these achievements prove that cricket is a game where youth can shatter the record books.

What happens after the first century?

Early success can be a double-edged sword. With fame comes scrutiny, and not all young cricketers have thrived under the spotlight. While Tendulkar became a legend and Afridi a cult hero, others, such as Abbas Ali Baig and Imran Nazir, struggled to maintain their momentum. Strong support networks—such as mentorship, coaching, and psychological guidance—are often the difference between a fleeting prodigy and a lasting great.

Final thoughts

The youngest century-makers remind us that cricket is as much about courage as it is about skill. They demonstrate that age is no barrier when talent meets opportunity. Fans, meanwhile, cherish these moments as they witness history unfold in real time.

As new prodigies like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who became the youngest player to score a century in the IPL at just 14 years and 32 days, emerge through U19 cricket and franchise leagues, the list of teenage centurions is likely to grow.

FAQs about the youngest century scorers