Aiden Markram breaks Kevin O'Brien's record for the fastest century in ICC Cricket World Cup

Aiden Markram smashed a 49-ball century against Sri Lanka in SA's first match of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

Aiden Markram achieved a significant milestone by becoming the fastest century-maker in the history of the ICC Cricket World Cup. This remarkable feat took place on Saturday, October 7th, during South Africa's opening match of the 2023 World Cup against Sri Lanka.

Markram's century in this match was extraordinary because he reached it in just 49 balls. He brought up his hundred with a six off Dilshan Madushanka. This broke the previous record held by Kevin O'Brien, who had accomplished a century in 50 balls against England during the 2011 World Cup in India.

In the course of his innings, Aiden Markram managed to score a total of 106 runs off 54 balls. His innings included an impressive display of power hitting, with 14 boundaries and 3 maximums. These boundaries and sixes contributed significantly to South Africa's overall score.

Top 5 fastest centuries in ICC Cricket World Cup history:

1 - Aiden Markram (SA) - 49 Balls Vs Sri Lanka, 2023

2 - Kevin O'Brien (IRE) - 50 Balls Vs England, 2011

3 - Glenn Maxwell (AUS) - 51 Balls Vs SL, 2015

4 - AB de Villiers (SA) - 52 Balls Vs WI, 2015

5 - Eoin Morgan (ENG) - 57 Balls Vs AFG, 2019

Aiden Markram's phenomenal century played a pivotal role in South Africa's dominating performance in the match. The team managed to amass a massive total of 428 runs for the loss of just five wickets. He wasn't the only South African batsman to shine in this match. Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen also showcased their batting prowess by scoring centuries. Their outstanding performances further added to Sri Lanka's woes, as the South African batting lineup tore apart Sri Lanka's bowling attack.

South Africa's monumental score of 428/5 in the match marked a historic moment in the Men's Cricket World Cup. This extraordinary total set a new benchmark as the highest-ever team score in the history of the Men's Cricket World Cup. This record-breaking achievement eclipsed the previous highest score of 417 runs, which Australia had achieved in a match against Afghanistan during the 2015 World Cup.