Whose bat did shahid Afridi’s use to score his fastest century?
In 1996, Shahid Afridi scored his record-breaking fastest ODI century—off just 37 balls—using a bat borrowed from Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar. Only 16 years old at the time, Afridi had not brought his own gear to the tournament in Kenya, so teammate Waqar Younis handed him Tendulkar’s bat—which Sachin had previously given to Waqar. Afridi then used that very bat to smash his iconic 102 off 40 balls against Sri Lanka in Nairobi.
The Untold Story: How Shahid Afridi Borrowed Sachin Tendulkar’s Bat to Smash the Fastest ODI Century
In October 1996, a 16-year-old Shahid Afridi stunned the cricketing world by blasting the fastest century in ODI history—off just 37 balls—against Sri Lanka in Nairobi, Kenya. But behind this legendary innings lies an incredible twist: Afridi wasn’t even using his own bat.
The Unlikely Bat That Made History
Afridi, a young and relatively unknown player at the time, had been included in Pakistan’s squad for the Singer Cup ODI tri-series (featuring Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Kenya). Since he was not a regular in the side, he had not brought his own cricket gear to the tournament.
On the day of the match (October 4, 1996), Afridi was unexpectedly promoted up the batting order. Realizing he didn’t have a bat, he turned to his teammate Waqar Younis, who handed him a bat that originally belonged to none other than Sachin Tendulkar.
How Sachin’s Bat Ended Up in Afridi’s Hands
Months earlier, Tendulkar had gifted the bat to Waqar Younis during a tournament. Waqar, not needing it at the time, kept it in his kit. When Afridi needed one, Waqar casually gave him Sachin’s bat, not knowing it would soon make history.
The Innings That Shocked the World
With Tendulkar’s bat in hand, Afridi unleashed a brutal assault on Sri Lanka’s bowlers, including Upul Chandana and Sanath Jayasuriya. His innings included 11 sixes and 6 fours, and he reached his century in just 37 balls—a record that stood for 18 years (until broken by Corey Anderson in 2014 and later AB de Villiers in 2015).
Afridi finished with 102 off 40 balls, helping Pakistan post a massive total of 371/9, which they defended comfortably.
Whose Bat Was It?
The bat belonged to none other than Sachin Tendulkar, the Indian cricketing maestro. Tendulkar had personally given it to Waqar Younis, the Pakistani fast-bowling legend, either as a goodwill gesture or for him to try out.
When Shahid Afridi was preparing to bat against Sri Lanka, Waqar handed him Sachin’s bat—possibly because of its broader blade and superior power-hitting potential. Afridi, already known for his explosive hitting even at that young age, gladly accepted it. The rest, as they say, is history.
Who Broke Afridi’s Fastest Century Record?
Shahid Afridi’s record for the fastest ODI century (37 balls), set in 1996, stood unbroken for 17 years until it was surpassed by two players in quick succession:
1. Corey Anderson (New Zealand)
- Date: 1 January 2014
- Match: NZ vs. West Indies (Queenstown)
- Balls taken: 36 balls (1 ball faster than Afridi)
- Score: 131* off 47 balls
2. AB de Villiers (South Africa)
- Date: 18 January 2015
- Match: SA vs. West Indies (Johannesburg)
- Balls taken: 31 balls (new world record)
- Score: 149 off 44 balls
Current Record Holder (ODIs):
🔥 AB de Villiers – 31-ball century (2015) – still unbeaten as of 2024.
Interestingly, Afridi’s 37-ball ton remains the fastest by a Pakistan batter and the fastest in the 20th century.
Summary Table:
| Player | Balls | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| AB de Villiers | 31 | West Indies | 2015 |
| Corey Anderson | 36 | West Indies | 2014 |
| Shahid Afridi | 37 | Sri Lanka | 1996 |
Did Sachin Tendulkar Know?
Interestingly, Tendulkar only found out years later that Afridi had used his bat to break a world record. In various interviews, Afridi and Waqar confirmed the story, adding a fascinating footnote to cricket history.
Legacy of the Innings
- Fastest ODI century (37 balls) at the time (1996–2014)
- One of the most explosive ODI innings ever
- The only century of Afridi’s career (though he hit 398 sixes in international cricket)
- A quirky connection between two legends—Afridi & Tendulkar
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