Top 10 Fastest Centuries in ODI Cricket History (2026 Updated)

One-Day International (ODI) cricket has produced countless unforgettable innings, but only a handful have completely redefined the limits of aggressive batting. While scoring a century in ODI cricket has always been considered a remarkable achievement, some extraordinary players have reached the three-figure mark at breathtaking speed, leaving bowlers, fans, and cricket experts stunned. Look at these top 10 fastest centuries in ODI Cricket.

From AB de Villiers’ unbelievable 31-ball hundred to Corey Anderson’s record-breaking assault and several modern-day power hitters, the race for the fastest ODI century has created some of the most entertaining moments in cricket history.

As batting techniques, equipment, and fearless approaches continue to evolve, fast centuries have become more common than ever. Yet only a select few innings have earned a place among the fastest hundreds ever recorded in ODI cricket.

In this updated 2026 ranking, we count down the Top 10 Fastest Centuries in ODI Cricket History, highlighting the player, opponent, venue, match details, and why each innings remains unforgettable.

Fastest ODI Centuries at a Glance

10. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan) – 48 Balls vs India (2026)

Afghanistan’s explosive opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz announced himself among cricket’s greatest power hitters by smashing a sensational 48-ball century against India in 2026. Facing one of the strongest bowling attacks in world cricket, Gurbaz played fearless cricket from the very first over.

His innings featured powerful drives, towering sixes, and innovative stroke play all around the ground. The century not only entered the list of the fastest ODI hundreds ever but also became one of Afghanistan’s greatest batting performances in international cricket.

This remarkable knock proved that Afghanistan is now capable of producing world-class batting talent capable of competing against cricket’s biggest nations.

• Balls: 48
• Opponent: India
• Venue: Chandigarh
• Result: Historic century despite a challenging contest.

9. Jos Buttler (England) – 46 Balls vs Pakistan (2015)

England wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler has built a reputation as one of the most destructive white-ball cricketers of the modern era. On 20 November 2015, he produced one of the finest ODI innings of his career by reaching a century in just 46 deliveries against Pakistan in Dubai.

Walking in during the middle overs, Buttler immediately took control of the innings with fearless stroke play. He attacked both pace and spin with equal confidence, finding boundaries almost at will and clearing the ropes with effortless power.

His unbeaten 116 from only 52 balls completely shifted the momentum in England’s favour. The innings included an incredible combination of elegant cover drives, innovative scoops, and massive sixes that left Pakistan’s bowlers with no answers.

At the time, Buttler’s century became the fastest by an England player in ODI cricket and remains one of the greatest white-ball innings ever played by an English batter.

• Balls for Century: 46
• Final Score: 116* (52)
• Opponent: Pakistan
• Venue: Dubai
• Highlight: Fastest ODI century by an England batter.

8. Jesse Ryder (New Zealand) – 46 Balls vs West Indies (2014)

New Zealand opener Jesse Ryder delivered one of the most explosive batting performances in ODI history during the fifth ODI against West Indies in Queenstown in 2014.

Ryder reached his hundred in only 46 deliveries, equalling one of the fastest centuries ever recorded in One-Day Internationals. His aggressive approach from the first over completely dismantled the West Indies bowling attack.

What made the innings even more special was Ryder’s incredible timing. Rather than relying solely on brute force, he combined clean ball-striking with classical cricket shots, making the innings both powerful and elegant.

His remarkable knock helped New Zealand post a massive total and highlighted why Ryder was regarded as one of the most naturally gifted stroke-makers of his generation.

• Balls for Century: 46
• Final Score: 104 (51)
• Opponent: West Indies
• Venue: Queenstown
• Highlight: Equalled one of the fastest ODI centuries in history.

7. Brian Lara (West Indies) – 45 Balls vs Bangladesh (1999)

Long before T20 cricket changed batting strategies, Brian Lara showcased how quickly a world-class batter could dominate an ODI match.

Facing Bangladesh during the 1999 Coca-Cola Champions Trophy, Lara played one of the most entertaining innings of his career. He raced to his century in just 45 balls, displaying his trademark elegance alongside remarkable aggression.

Unlike many power hitters, Lara relied heavily on perfect timing, exquisite placement, and breathtaking cover drives. His ability to score rapidly without sacrificing technique made this innings truly unique.

Even decades later, Lara’s knock remains one of the greatest examples of controlled aggression in ODI cricket and continues to feature among the fastest hundreds ever scored.

• Balls for Century: 45
• Final Score: 117
• Opponent: Bangladesh
• Venue: Dhaka
• Highlight: One of the fastest centuries before the T20 era.

6. Mark Boucher (South Africa) – 44 Balls vs Zimbabwe (2006)

South African wicketkeeper-batter Mark Boucher produced one of the most explosive innings in ODI history against Zimbabwe in Potchefstroom in 2006. Known primarily for his outstanding wicketkeeping skills, Boucher surprised everyone with an extraordinary display of power hitting.

Coming to the crease in the latter half of the innings, he immediately launched an all-out attack on the Zimbabwe bowlers. He reached his century in just 44 balls, setting what was then the fastest ODI century by a South African.

Boucher remained unbeaten on 147 from only 68 deliveries, smashing boundaries and towering sixes all around the ground. His innings helped South Africa post a massive total and remains one of the greatest knocks ever played by a wicketkeeper in ODI cricket.

• Balls for Century: 44
• Final Score: 147* (68)
• Opponent: Zimbabwe
• Venue: Potchefstroom
• Highlight: Fastest ODI century by a South African at the time.

5. Asif Khan (United Arab Emirates) – 41 Balls vs Nepal (2023)

Asif Khan etched his name into cricket history with a sensational 41-ball century against Nepal during the ACC Men’s Premier Cup in 2023. Representing the United Arab Emirates, Asif delivered one of the most remarkable innings ever played by an Associate Nation batter.

His fearless approach saw him attack every bowler from the outset, combining powerful six-hitting with intelligent shot selection. He punished loose deliveries and maintained an astonishing strike rate throughout his innings.

Reaching his hundred in only 41 deliveries, Asif recorded one of the fastest centuries in ODI history and demonstrated the growing strength of Associate cricket on the international stage.

The innings earned worldwide praise and proved that world-class batting performances are no longer limited to Full Member nations.

• Balls for Century: 41
• Final Score: 101* (42)
• Opponent: Nepal
• Venue: Kirtipur
• Highlight: Fastest ODI century by a UAE batter.

4. Glenn Maxwell (Australia) – 40 Balls vs Netherlands (2023)

Australian superstar Glenn Maxwell produced one of the greatest World Cup innings ever during the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup against the Netherlands in New Delhi.

Walking in with Australia already in a strong position, Maxwell completely destroyed the Dutch bowling attack. He reached his century in an astonishing 40 balls, breaking the previous record for the fastest century in Cricket World Cup history.

His innings featured fearless innovation, exceptional timing, and incredible power. Reverse sweeps, pull shots, lofted drives, and massive sixes entertained fans throughout the stadium.

Maxwell eventually finished with an unbeaten 106 from only 44 balls, helping Australia post one of the highest totals in World Cup history. The innings perfectly showcased why he is regarded as one of the most dangerous white-ball batters of his generation.

• Balls for Century: 40
• Final Score: 106* (44)
• Opponent: Netherlands
• Venue: New Delhi
• Highlight: Fastest century in ICC Cricket World Cup history.

3. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – 37 Balls vs Sri Lanka (1996)

Few innings in cricket history have had the same impact as Shahid Afridi’s breathtaking century against Sri Lanka in Nairobi during the 1996 KCA Centenary Tournament. At just 16 years old, Afridi stunned the cricketing world by reaching his maiden ODI hundred in only 37 balls.

Batting with complete freedom, Afridi unleashed a relentless assault on the Sri Lankan bowlers. His innings was packed with towering sixes, powerful straight drives, and fearless stroke play that was rarely seen in ODI cricket at the time.

What made the knock even more remarkable was that Afridi was using a bat borrowed from teammate Waqar Younis. His explosive century broke the previous world record and transformed the way teams viewed aggressive batting in One-Day Internationals.

Although the record was eventually surpassed years later, Afridi’s 37-ball hundred remained the fastest in ODI history for nearly 18 years, cementing his nickname, “Boom Boom Afridi.”

• Balls for Century: 37
• Final Score: 102 (40)
• Opponent: Sri Lanka
• Venue: Nairobi, Kenya
• Highlight: Held the world record for the fastest ODI century for almost 18 years.

2. Corey Anderson (New Zealand) – 36 Balls vs West Indies (2014)

In January 2014, Corey Anderson rewrote the record books by smashing a spectacular century in just 36 balls against the West Indies at Queenstown.

The powerful left-hander combined brute force with outstanding timing, launching the ball to every corner of the ground. His clean hitting left the West Indies bowlers helpless as boundaries flowed almost every over.

Anderson’s unbeaten 131 from only 47 balls helped New Zealand chase down the target with ease while ending Shahid Afridi’s long-standing record for the fastest ODI century.

The innings immediately became one of the greatest displays of power hitting ever witnessed and announced Anderson as one of the most destructive all-rounders in world cricket.

• Balls for Century: 36
• Final Score: 131* (47)
• Opponent: West Indies
• Venue: Queenstown
• Highlight: Broke Afridi’s 18-year-old world record.

1. AB de Villiers (South Africa) – 31 Balls vs West Indies (2015)

At the very top of the list stands one of the greatest ODI innings ever played. On 18 January 2015 at Johannesburg, AB de Villiers produced a batting masterclass that many experts believe may never be matched.

Walking to the crease after a solid opening partnership, de Villiers wasted no time in attacking. He dismantled the West Indies bowling attack with extraordinary power, incredible innovation, and breathtaking shot selection.

He reached his century in an unbelievable 31 balls, breaking Corey Anderson’s world record by five deliveries. During the innings, he also recorded the fastest ODI fifty (16 balls) and eventually finished with a stunning 149 from just 44 balls.

The South African legend struck the ball with remarkable consistency, smashing boundaries all around the ground while entertaining a packed Wanderers Stadium. His innings remains one of the finest examples of modern ODI batting and is widely regarded as the greatest power-hitting display in cricket history.

More than a decade later, no player has managed to surpass his extraordinary 31-ball century, making it one of the most iconic records in international cricket.

• Balls for Century: 31
• Final Score: 149 (44)
• Opponent: West Indies
• Venue: Johannesburg
• Highlight: Fastest century in ODI cricket history.

Honorable Mentions

Several other legendary batters have come close to breaking into the top 10 fastest ODI centuries. While they narrowly missed the list, their innings remain among the greatest displays of aggressive batting in One-Day International cricket.

• Jos Buttler (England) – 50-ball century vs Pakistan (2019).
• Virender Sehwag (India) – 60-ball century vs New Zealand (2009).
• Shane Watson (Australia) – 61-ball century vs Bangladesh (2011).
• Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) – Multiple explosive ODI centuries that revolutionized opening batting.
• Chris Gayle (West Indies) – Numerous match-winning power-hitting performances in ODI cricket.

Why Fast Centuries Matter in ODI Cricket

Scoring a century is always a major milestone in ODI cricket, but reaching the landmark in fewer than 50 balls is an extraordinary achievement. Such innings can completely transform the momentum of a match, demoralize the opposition, and help teams post or chase massive totals with ease.

The evolution of ODI cricket has encouraged a more attacking style of play. Improved bats, aggressive fielding restrictions, advanced fitness levels, and fearless batting approaches have all contributed to the increase in rapid centuries. However, even in today’s high-scoring era, crossing the three-figure mark in under 40 balls remains an exceptionally rare feat.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who has the fastest century in ODI cricket history?

South Africa’s AB de Villiers holds the world record after scoring a century in just 31 balls against the West Indies in Johannesburg in 2015.

Who scored the fastest ODI century before AB de Villiers?

New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson held the record with a 36-ball century against the West Indies in 2014 before AB de Villiers broke it one year later.

Which player held the fastest ODI century record for the longest time?

Shahid Afridi held the record for nearly 18 years after scoring a 37-ball century against Sri Lanka in 1996.

Who has the fastest ODI century for England?

Jos Buttler reached his century in just 46 balls against Pakistan in 2015, setting England’s national record.

Has any player scored an ODI century in under 30 balls?

No. As of 2026, no batter has scored a century in fewer than 31 deliveries in One-Day International cricket.

Conclusion

The fastest centuries in ODI cricket represent the perfect blend of skill, confidence, timing, and fearless aggression. From Shahid Afridi’s revolutionary innings in 1996 to Corey Anderson’s record-breaking knock and AB de Villiers’ unforgettable 31-ball masterpiece, each innings has pushed the boundaries of what seemed possible in 50-over cricket.

Modern batting continues to evolve, with players becoming more innovative and attacking than ever before. While new stars will undoubtedly challenge these records in the future, AB de Villiers’ incredible achievement remains the ultimate benchmark for explosive batting in ODI cricket.

As cricket continues to grow around the world, fans can look forward to even more breathtaking innings. Until someone finally surpasses the legendary 31-ball century, AB de Villiers will continue to hold one of the most iconic records in the history of One-Day International cricket.

These are the top 10 fastest centuries in ODI Cricket.