Centuries in cricket are special — but doing it at lightning speed makes them unforgettable. A fastest century is not just about runs; it’s about dominance, fearless batting, and the ability to shatter bowling attacks in minutes.
Table of Contents
From AB de Villiers’ jaw-dropping 31-ball ton to Shahid Afridi’s teenage blitz, these innings live forever in cricket history. Let’s count down the top 10 fastest centuries in international cricket.
1. AB de Villiers – 31 Balls vs West Indies (2015)
- Format: ODI
- Venue: Johannesburg, South Africa
- Balls Faced for 100: 31
AB de Villiers redefined explosive batting, smashing the fastest ODI century ever. His innings included 16 sixes and 9 fours — pure carnage against helpless bowlers. Fans still call it “The Perfect Innings.”
2. Corey Anderson – 36 Balls vs West Indies (2014)
- Format: ODI
- Venue: Queenstown, New Zealand
- Balls Faced for 100: 36
Anderson’s record stood for just a year before AB broke it. This brutal knock saw him clear boundaries with ease, hitting 14 sixes in a hurricane display of power hitting.
3. Shahid Afridi – 37 Balls vs Sri Lanka (1996)
- Format: ODI
- Venue: Nairobi, Kenya
- Balls Faced for 100: 37
At just 16 years old, Afridi announced himself with this incredible blitz. His fearless approach set a new world record at the time and turned him into a global star overnight.
4. Mark Boucher – 44 Balls vs Zimbabwe (2006)
- Format: ODI
- Venue: Potchefstroom, South Africa
- Balls Faced for 100: 44
Boucher’s knock was overshadowed by AB’s feats years later, but at the time, it was a remarkable display of clean hitting. He finished with 147* off just 68 balls.
5. Brian Lara – 45 Balls vs Bangladesh (1999)
- Format: ODI
- Venue: Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Balls Faced for 100: 45
Lara’s silky stroke play combined with raw aggression made this innings a treat. He toyed with the bowlers, mixing timing with power to perfection Fastest.
6. Jesse Ryder – 46 Balls vs West Indies (2014)
- Format: ODI
- Venue: Queenstown, New Zealand
- Balls Faced for 100: 46
In the same match where Anderson set his record, Ryder hammered a 46-ball ton. His knock was overshadowed but remains one of the fastest in Fastest history.
7. Jos Buttler – 46 Balls vs Pakistan (2015)
- Format: ODI
- Venue: Dubai, UAE
- Balls Faced for 100: 46
Buttler’s innovative stroke play dismantled Pakistan’s bowling. His mix of scoops, drives, and brutal hitting left fans Fastest speechless.
8. Sanath Jayasuriya – 48 Balls vs Pakistan (1996)
- Format: ODI
- Venue: Singapore
- Balls Faced for 100: 48
Jayasuriya’s aggressive batting style revolutionized ODI cricket. This knock was a perfect example of his fearless approach at the top of the order Fastest
9. Jos Buttler – 50 Balls vs Netherlands (2022)
- Format: ODI
- Venue: Amstelveen, Netherlands
- Balls Faced for 100: 50
Buttler appears again with another jaw-dropping ton, hitting 14 sixes and showcasing why he’s one of the most dangerous finishers in the game Fastest.
10. Kevin O’Brien – 50 Balls vs England (2011 World Cup)
- Format: ODI
- Venue: Bengaluru, India
- Balls Faced for 100: 50
Why Fast Centuries Are Special
Fast centuries change games. They shift pressure, break opposition morale, and create unforgettable viewing experiences. These innings are proof that cricket can be as explosive as any sport in the world Fastest.