Afridi rewarded for whirlwind ton

Pakistan's President announced a $8,400 cash reward for Shahid Afridi after he smashed the second-fastest century in one-day history.

Pakistan's President announced a Rs 5,00,000 cash reward for cricketer Shahid Afridi after he smashed the second-fastest century in one-day history to help his team to victory over India.

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Ahidi's 102 off just 45 deliveries steered Pakistan to a five-wicket win in Kanpur and gave them a 3-2 series lead with one game to play.

President Pervez Musharraf, who is visiting India to watch the final match on Sunday, personally congratulated Afridi by telephone and sent a message to the team, which has come back from a two-nil series deficit.

"The fighting spirit and determination of players in all departments of the game is laudable," Musharraf, an avid cricket fan, told the team according to an official.

Afridi, 25, fell one ball after reaching his fourth hundred to equal West Indian Brian Lara's 45-ball century against Bangladesh in Dhaka in 1999.

The Pakistan star also holds the world record for the fastest one-day hundred, off 37 balls against Sri Lanka in 1996.