Rahmanullah Gurbaz carves his name into Afghanistan history with 48-ball ODI century, but denied Shahid Afridi's record

Rahmanullah Gurbaz shattered Afghanistan's previous benchmark for the fastest ODI hundred, racing to three figures in just 48 balls

Updated on: Jun 13, 2026, 19:27:47 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Rahmanullah Gurbaz delivered one of the standout innings of his ODI career in the series opener against India, smashing a breathtaking century off just 48 balls to register the fastest hundred by an Afghanistan batter in the format. The wicketkeeper-opener took charge of the innings from the outset and was largely responsible for keeping Afghanistan in the contest despite early setbacks. When he reached his century, the visitors were 135/3 in 14.4 overs.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz smashes 48-ball century vs India in first ODI. (PTI)

With rain reducing the match to 25 overs per side, Gurbaz quickly recognised the need for a more aggressive approach and batted with the urgency of a T20 innings. He attacked anything loose and put India's bowlers under sustained pressure, finding boundaries at regular intervals and refusing to allow the hosts to settle.

The right-hander even battled through discomfort during his knock after appearing to struggle with his hamstring, but he showed no intention of slowing down. One of the defining moments of the innings came in the 12th over when he tore into Washington Sundar, collecting 19 runs with a flurry of boundaries and sixes.

Gurbaz's century was a record-breaking one. The Afghanistan opener shattered the country's previous benchmark for the fastest ODI hundred, racing to three figures in just 48 balls and moving clear of some of the biggest names in Afghanistan cricket history.

Afghanistan had slipped into trouble early after Arshdeep Singh struck twice and debutant Gurnoor Brar claimed a wicket in his first over in international cricket. However, Gurbaz's counterattack transformed the innings and ensured the visitors remained competitive. His fearless strokeplay not only lifted Afghanistan from a difficult position but also earned him a place in the record books with a landmark century against one of the strongest attacks in world cricket.

Also Read - Rohit Sharma becomes India’s oldest ODI player in Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey’s debut match

Fastest ODI hundreds for Afghanistan by balls faced

48 - Rahmanullah Gurbaz vs IND, Dharamsala, 2026

72 - Mohammad Shahzad vs SCOT, Alloway, 2010

72 - Karim Sadiq vs NED, Sharjah, 2012

85 - Nawroz Mangal vs SCOT, Sharjah, 2013

85 - Mohammad Shahzad vs IRE, Belfast, 2019

Gurbaz's assault also earned him a place in an elite list against India. His 48-ball century is now the second-fastest ODI hundred ever scored against the Men in Blue, surpassed only by Shahid Afridi's 45-ball blitz for Pakistan in 2005.

Fastest ODI hundreds vs India by balls faced

45 - Shahid Afridi (PAK), Kanpur, 2005

48 - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (AFG), Dharamsala, 2026

57 - James Faulkner (AUS), Bengaluru, 2013

57 - AB de Villiers (SA), Mumbai WS, 2015

57 - Michael Bracewell (NZ), Hyderabad, 2023

Meanwhile, he was dismissed after his century as Nitish Kumar Reddy disturbed his timber on 102 off 51 balls. His ferocious knock was laced with eight sixes and as many fours, but the yorker from Reddy was too good for him.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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