Top 5 youngest players to score a century in Test cricket
1. Mohammad Ashraful (Bangladesh), 2001 – 17 years, 61 days
Needing to score 465 runs against a quality Sri Lankan bowling attack in order to take the Test match into the final inning, its safe to say that Bangladesh were in a dire situation. Amid all the experienced batters failing, a 17-year-old Ashraful stepped up and played an incredible knock of 114 runs and broke many records. Ultimately, his efforts went in vain as Bangladesh got bowled out for 328 and Sri Lanka won the match by an innings and 137 runs.
2. Mushtaq Mohammad (Pakistan), 1961 – 17 years, 78 days
The right-handed Pakistan batter held the record for the youngest player to ever score a Test ton for a total of 21 years. This fantastic knock came against Pakistan’s arch-rivals India in Delhi. Mushtaq would lose his wicket after scoring 101 runs, however this knock would go down in Pakistan cricket folklore. He is still the second-youngest Pakistan batter to score a century in any format of the game.
3. Sachin Tendulkar (India), 1990 – 17 years, 107 days
This knock is one of the finest knocks that Tendulkar ever played throughout his illustrious career. Chasing a target of 408, India got restricted to 183/6 by England. It looked as if the English bowlers would take their side to victory, however a 17-year-old Tendulkar stepped up to play a spectacular unbeaten knock of 119 runs. He formed a brilliant 160-run stand with Manoj Prabhakar who also remained unbeaten on 68. Thanks to the duo, India finished the final day at 343/6 and managed to draw the match.
4. Hamilton Masakadza (Zimbabwe), 2001 – 17 years, 352 days
After getting bowled out for only 131 runs in the first inning, Zimbabwe went on to trail by 216 runs against the West Indies who posted 347 runs. In the second innings, many Zimbabwe batters performed well but it was Masakadza who shined the brightest with his amazing century. The Zimbabwean would post 119 runs which massively helped Zimbabwe in posting 563 runs on the board. The match would end in a draw as West Indies would end the final day at 98/1.
5. Imran Nazir (Pakistan), 2000 – 18 years, 154 days
After bowling Pakistan out for 253 runs in the first innings, West Indies managed to score 398 runs to take a good 145-run lead. In Pakistan’s second innings, an 18-year-old Nazir showed immense maturity and played a fantastic knock of 131. His opening stand of 219 runs with Mohammad Wasim already put Pakistan in a strong position. The Men in Green would post a huge total of 419, setting up a target of 275 for the Windies. The match would be drawn as the Caribbean side would finish the final day at 132/4.
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