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Abhishek hits record T20 ton as India post 221-7 against Afghanistan / Photo: Arun SANKAR - AFP
Abhishek hits record T20 ton as India post 221-7 against Afghanistan
India's Abhishek Sharma hit 100 off 30 balls against Afghanistan, the fastest T20 international century by a Test-playing batte, as he guided the team to 221-7 on Thursday.
The left-handed Abhishek surpassed Zimbabwe's Sikandar Raza's ton off 33 balls against Gambia in 2024 and Finn Allen's effort from the same number of deliveries in New Zealand's T20 World Cup semi-final win over South Africa earlier this year in India.
The fastest ever hundred in T20 matches was hit by Sahil Chauhan of Estonia in 27 balls.
Abhishek tore into the Afghanistan bowling attack after India, who have an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, were invited to bat at New Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium.
The swashbuckling opener hit a six to 99. He completed the hundred with a single and sat in meditation pose to celebrate.
He finally fell for 108 off 34 balls to leg-spinner Rashid Khan. The 26-year-old's knock was laced with nine fours and 11 sixes.
His opening stand of 142 with Sanju Samson, who hit 50, put India on course for a big total but Afghanistan bowlers checked the surge with regular wickets.
Tilak Varma was run out for two by Rashid and Samson departed after his second successive half-century as he fell to pace bowler Azmatullah Omarzai.
Omarzai struck another blow helped by a stunning catch by Rashid in the deep to send back Shivam Dube out for 14.
From 100-0 in six overs and 142-1 in 10 overs, India lost their way and managed just 79 runs from the last 60 balls.
Afghanistan need 222 for a consolation win.
A.Hill--SMC
