Ireland women cricketer Amy Hunter at 16 years became the all-time youngest centurion in international cricket on Monday, October 11. She scored an unbeaten 121 against Zimbabwe in a dominant win for the Irish.

Hunter’s unbeaten ton helped her surpass the previous record-holder Mithali Raj. The Indian batter had held the record for being the youngest centurion in international cricket for more than two decades. Raj achieved the record in an ODI match at the age of 16 years and 205 days against Ireland in June 1999.

Incidentally, Hunter’s unbeaten knock of 121 against Zimbabwe happened to be on her 16th birthday. 

In men’s cricket, Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi at 16 years 217 days holds the record for the youngest centurion in international cricket. Afridi achieved the feat against Sri Lanka in an ODI match at Nairobi in October 1996.

Bangladesh’s Mohammad Ashraful holds the record for the youngest batter to score an international hundred in Test cricket. Ashraful scored the hundred at the age of 17 years and 61 days on his Test debut. By doing so, Ashraful also became only the second Bangaladeshi player after Aminul Islam to score a hundred on Test debut. 

Amongst associate nations, Uganda women’s Prosscovia Alako holds the record for being youngest centurion in international cricket. She scored 116 against Mali women at the age of 16 years and 233 days. Alako is also the youngest player to score a hundred in a T20 international match amongst both men and women. 

Here’s the list for the top five youngest centurions in international cricket. 

Youngest centurions in international cricket 

Player

Country

Age

Opponent

Format

Year

Amy Hunter

Ireland women

16 years 0 days

Zimbabwe women

ODI

2021

Mihali Raj

India women

16 years 205 days

Ireland women 

ODI

1999

Shahid Afridi

Pakistan

16 years 217 days

Sri Lanka

ODI

1996

Prosscovia Alako

Uganda women

16 years 233 days

Mali women

T20I

2019

Mohammad Ashraful

Bangladesh

17 years 61 days

Sri Lanka

Test

2001

Author: Kaustubh Potdar 

Featured photo: Ireland Cricket / Twitter