Fastest Hundreds in T20 World Cup: New Zealand opener Finn Allen created history by smashing the fastest hundred in T20 World Cup history during the 2026 semi-final against South Africa. The explosive batter reached his century in just 33 balls, breaking the previous record held by Chris Gayle, who had scored a 47-ball hundred during the 2016 T20 World Cup.
Allen’s innings was filled with aggressive stroke play as he hammered 10 fours and 8 sixes on his way to an unbeaten 100. His remarkable knock powered New Zealand to chase down a target of 170 runs with ease. The team finished the match in only 12.5 overs while losing just one wicket.
This incredible innings not only set a new tournament record but also became the fastest century scored against a full-member international team in T20I cricket. It is also tied as the third-fastest century in the overall history of T20 international matches.
Another remarkable aspect of Allen’s achievement is that he became the first player to score a century in a knockout match of the T20 World Cup. Before this, the highest score in a knockout game was 96 not out by Tillakaratne Dilshan during the 2009 tournament.
List of the Fastest Hundreds in T20 World Cup
Finn Allen – 33 Balls vs South Africa (2026)
Finn Allen currently holds the record for the fastest hundred in T20 World Cup history. His record-breaking century came in the 2026 semi-final against South Africa.
Allen reached his half-century in just 19 balls and continued his aggressive approach throughout the innings. He dominated the South African bowling attack with consistent boundaries and sixes.
His unbeaten 100 helped New Zealand complete the 170-run chase in only 12.5 overs, winning the match by nine wickets with more than seven overs remaining. By achieving this feat, Allen surpassed Chris Gayle’s long-standing record by 14 balls.
Chris Gayle – 47 Balls vs England (2016)
Chris Gayle held the record for the fastest T20 World Cup century for nearly a decade. He achieved the milestone during the 2016 tournament against England at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
Gayle smashed an unbeaten 100 in 47 balls and hit 11 sixes in the innings. His powerful knock guided West Indies to a six-wicket victory and also marked his second century in T20 World Cup history.
Chris Gayle – 50 Balls vs South Africa (2007)
Chris Gayle was also responsible for the first-ever century in T20 World Cup history. He scored 117 runs from 57 balls against South Africa during the inaugural tournament in 2007.
Gayle reached his hundred in 50 balls at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. This innings played a major role in introducing the world to the explosive nature of T20 cricket.
Harry Brook – 50 Balls vs Pakistan (2026)
England’s Harry Brook joined the list of fastest centuries in T20 World Cup history during the 2026 tournament. Playing as captain, Brook scored a brilliant century in 50 balls against Pakistan in the Super 8 stage.
England had lost early wickets, but Brook’s aggressive batting helped stabilize the innings. His knock eventually guided England to a thrilling two-wicket victory. With this performance, he also became the first captain to score a century in T20 World Cup history.
Brendon McCullum – 51 Balls vs Bangladesh (2012)
Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum delivered one of the most memorable innings of the 2012 T20 World Cup. He scored 123 runs from just 58 balls against Bangladesh.
McCullum reached his century in 51 balls, hitting 11 fours and 7 sixes during the innings. For many years, this remained the fastest century by a New Zealand batter in the tournament before Finn Allen broke the record in 2026.
FAQs
Q. Who scored the fastest hundred in T20 World Cup history?
A. Finn Allen holds the record for the fastest century in T20 World Cup history. He scored a 33-ball hundred against South Africa in the 2026 semi-final.
Q. Which record did Finn Allen break?
A. Finn Allen broke Chris Gayle’s record of a 47-ball century, which Gayle achieved during the 2016 T20 World Cup.
Q. Has anyone scored a century in a T20 World Cup knockout match before?
A. No, Finn Allen became the first player to score a century in a T20 World Cup knockout match with his innings in the 2026 semi-final.
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