Rahmanullah Gurbaz Hits 2nd Fastest ODI Century Against India After Shahid Afridi's Record Blitz In 2005; Check Full List

· Free Press Journal

Dharamsala, June 13: Afghanistan explosive opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz etched his name into the record books with a stunning 48-ball century against India in the first ODI, registering the second fastest ODI hundred against India since Shahid Afridi's iconic knock in 2005. Shahid Afridi smashed 45-ball hundred against India which is the fastest ODI hundred against the Men In Blue in ODI history.

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Key Highlights

  • Gurbaz reached his century in just 48 balls during the rain-shortened ODI in Dharamsala.

  • The Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter now holds the second-fastest ODI century against India.

  • Only former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, who smashed a 45-ball hundred in Kanpur in 2005, remains ahead of him on the list.

  • Gurbaz is the first batter in 21 years to come so close to Afridi's long-standing record.

Fastest ODI Centuries Against India

  1. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) - 45 balls, Kanpur, 2005

  2. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan) - 48 balls, Dharamsala, 2026

  3. James Faulkner (Australia) - 57 balls, Bengaluru, 2013

  4. AB de Villiers (South Africa) - 57 balls, Mumbai, 2015

  5. Michael Bracewell (New Zealand) - 57 balls, Hyderabad, 2023

How the Innings Unfolded

  • Afghanistan were in trouble after losing three early wickets.

  • India had reduced them to 26/3, putting the visitors under pressure.

  • Gurbaz responded with an aggressive counterattack, taking on both pace and spin.

  • He struck boundaries regularly and reached his hundred in fewer than 50 deliveries.

  • His innings helped Afghanistan recover strongly and put India under pressure.

IND Vs AFG 1st ODI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz Smashes Fastest-Ever Century By Afghanistan Batter Off Just 48 Balls Against India

Why This Knock Matters

  • Afridi's 45-ball century had remained unmatched against India for more than two decades.

  • Several big names, including AB de Villiers and James Faulkner, could not get closer than 57 balls.

  • Gurbaz has now broken that barrier and produced one of the fastest and most impactful ODI hundreds ever scored against India.

  • The knock also underlines Afghanistan's growing strength in international cricket and Gurbaz's status as one of their most dangerous white-ball batters.

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