By Ravi - Aug 01, 2025 02:14 PM
Scoring a century for your country in the One Day International (ODI) format is always a great achievement for most international cricketers. While many cricketers spend years to make this golden dream a reality, some iconic cricketers have had the good fortune and excellence to make it a reality right at the beginning of their cricketing career. In this article, we will look at the top five youngest cricketers to score a century in the ODI format for their team.
Shahid Afridi is known for his explosive batting and his record-breaking first ODI century is proof of that. On 4 October 1996, in just his second ODI match, a 16-year-old Afridi took the cricketing world by storm. Playing against Sri Lanka in Nairobi, he smashed a majestic 102 off just 40 balls, a record for the fastest ODI century that stood for almost 18 years. This incredible innings, studded with 11 sixes, is one of the most memorable moments in cricket history. Shahid Afridi was the youngest player to score a century in ODIs, achieving the feat at the age of just 16 years and 217 days.
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Afghanistan's rising star Usman Ghani scored his first ODI century at the age of 17 years 242 days against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo on 20 July 2014. His innings of 118 runs belied his age and showcased his patience and technique as Afghanistan managed to post a competitive score. Ghani's achievement highlighted the emerging talent in Afghan cricket and established him as a major player of the future. Afghanistan's Usman Ghani is second on this list.
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On 15 April 2000, Nazir scored his first ODI century against Zimbabwe in Grenada at the age of 18 years and 121 days. The explosive opener scored an unbeaten 105 to guide his team to a comfortable victory. Nazir's early knocks and powerful stroke-play made him a fan favourite and this century proved to be a turning point in his career.
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Saleem Elahi made a stellar debut in international cricket by scoring a century on his ODI debut at the age of just 18 years and 312 days. The Pakistani opener achieved the feat against Sri Lanka at Gujranwala on 29 September 1995. Elahi's unbeaten 102 was a composed and stylish knock that made him the fourth youngest player to score a century in ODIs and one of the few players to score a century on debut.
Saitija Mukkalam is a talented player from the United States. Representing her country, Mukkalam scored a brilliant unbeaten 120 against the United Arab Emirates on March 30, 2023, at the age of 18 years and 355 days. This century not only showcased her immense potential but also marked a significant moment for cricket in the United States, proving that young players from emerging cricket nations can compete on the international stage.
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