#ThrowbackThursdays: This day in 1996, Afridi achieved an incredible feat
What's the story
Shahid Afridi announced himself in international cricket, 22 years ago, on this day. A teenager back then, the Pakistani legend smashed his way into the record books. Afridi notched a 37-ball ton in ODI cricket against Sri Lanka in Nairobi in the year 1996. It was one hell of an innings that is still remembered today. Here we look at this incredible feat.
Twitter Post
World record!
#OnThisDay in 1996, @SAfridiOfficial smashed a 💯 off 37 balls to break the world record for the fastest 100 in ODIs. pic.twitter.com/H2aT3fGHF6
— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) October 4, 2018
Boom Boom
When 'Boom Boom' Afridi sent everyone on a leather hunt
Afridi was sent at first down and he made the opportunity count. He upped the ante against the Lankans right from the start and was richly paid in return. He got to his ton in 37 balls and eclipsed Jayasuriya, who held the record for the fastest ton at that time (48 balls). He finished with 102 runs at a strike-rate of 255.
Twitter Post
Afridi on this day in 1996
40 balls
— ICC (@ICC) October 4, 2018
6 fours
11 sixes
102 runs! 💥💥#OnThisDay in 1996, Boom Boom @SAfridiOfficial scored a fiery 37-ball 💯 against Sri Lanka - the fastest ODI hundred at the time! pic.twitter.com/qZ3fFbkD78
Career
Afridi was a celebrated ODI player
Afridi is still regarded as one of the best players of Pakistan in ODI cricket. He played a total of 398 ODIs for the Men in Green, scoring 8,064 runs and taking 395 wickets. The aggressive cricketer has left a big imprint in the game as an all-rounder. He also represented Pakistan in 99 T20Is. Afridi's contribution can never be forgotten.
Records
Corey Anderson and AB de Villiers got hold of Afridi
Afridi's 37-ball record remained unbroken for more than 17 years. It was finally broken by New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson, who slammed a ton off 36 balls against West Indies in 2014. South Africa's AB de Villiers then overtook Anderson after going berserk against West Indies in 2015. AB slammed his ton off just 31 balls. Afridi's ton still remains the third fastest.