Top 5 fastest centuries (100) by Pakistan batsmen in test cricket

Only one Pakistan batsman has hit a hundred under 60 deliveries in test cricket.

The Pakistan cricket team made their test debut in 1952 against arch-rivals India in Delhi. They became the No. 1 rated test team in 1988.

Pakistan usurped the top spot in the ICC test team rankings in 2016. It was the first time since the ranking system was introduced, they were crowned No.1. The then captain Misbah-ul-Haq received the prestigious test mace in Lahore. However, the test team’s downfall began soon.

Pakistan have played over 450 test matches and have an almost equal win-loss record. They have produced some of the finest top and middle-order batsmen the game has seen. These batsmen have recorded a few quickfire centuries in the longest format.

In this article, we will look at the five fastest centuries scored by Pakistani batsmen in test cricket.

Top five fastest centuries (100) by Pakistan batsmen in test cricket:

5. Sarfraz Ahmed – 80 balls vs Australia, 2014

Former Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed holds the record for the fifth-fastest test century by a Pakistani batsman. He cracked an 80-ball ton against Australia in Dubai in the first test of the 2014 series.

Batting first, Pakistan posted 454 through centuries from Younis Khan and Sarfraz Ahmed. Sarfraz hit 14 fours in his knock of 109 (105). Younis also hit a century in Pakistan’s second innings. Australia fell 222 runs short of the target of 438 that was set to them.

4. Shahid Afridi – 78 balls vs India, 2006

Shahid Afridi blasted a memorable century against India in Lahore in the 2006 test series. The explosive middle-order batsman slammed a 78-ball century in Pakistan’s first innings with seven fours and seven sixes.

Three other Pakistani batters notched up centuries in that innings as the hosts posted 679. In reply, India looked unbreachable during the 410-run opening stand between Virender Sehwag (254) and Rahul Dravid (128). The match ended in a draw due to the constant intervention of rain and bad light.

3. Shahid Afridi – 78 balls vs West Indies, 2005

In the Bridgetown test of Pakistan’s tour of West Indies in 2005, Shahid Afridi produced a stunning display of batting in the fourth innings of the test match.

West Indies had set a huge target of 573 runs – a target so big that it’s inconceivable to even think of chasing it down. With Pakistan losing four wickets for only 47 runs, Afridi thought it was best to counter-attack. And counter-attack he did: Afridi walloped nine fours and six sixes in his innings of 122 (95), having brought up his century in 78 balls.

His effort was always going to go in vain, but it did provide entertainment to the Pakistani fans.

2. Majid Khan – 74 balls vs New Zealand, 1976

Former opener Majid Khan holds the record for the second-fast century by a Pakistani batsman in test cricket. Majid hammered a 74-ball ton against New Zealand in the Karachi test in 1976 during Pakistan’s first innings. He finished with 112 runs, which included 18 fours and two sixes.

In the same innings, Javed Miandad piled up a double century and Mushtaq Mohammad hit a century. For New Zealand, Warren Lees scored a century in the first innings, yet Pakistan managed a lead of 97 runs. Pakistan then set the Kiwis a target of 388 runs, chasing which New Zealand were 262/7 when the match ended in a draw.

1. Misbah-ul-Haq – 56 balls vs Australia, 2014

Former captain Misbah-ul-Haq holds the record for the fastest century by a Pakistani batsman in test cricket. Misbah notched up a 56-ball ton against Australia in Abu Dhabi in 2014, equalling the record of Viv Richards.

Misbah and Richards’ 56-ball centuries are the second-fastest centuries in test cricket, and the list is topped by Brendon McCullum, who plundered a 54-ball century against Australia in 2016 in Christchurch.

In this test, Misbah cracked centuries in both innings. He scored 101 (168) in the first innings and then whacked 101* (57) in the second innings. Pakistan defeated Australia by 356 runs.

(All stats are updated till 7th October 2024.)

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