Some of the best batting records in the history of cricket have been made during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. It is already a great feat to score a century in T20 cricket; however, scoring a century in record time is a whole different story. There are many batsmen who have broken record books through amazing innings with big sixes and audacious shot-making ability.
At the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, New Zealand opening batsman Finn Allen holds the record for scoring the fastest century in T20 World Cup history after making 100 runs off just 33 balls against South Africa in the semi-final match. Allen’s century broke Chris Gayle’s record that had stood since 2016 after scoring 100 runs in 47 balls.
Fastest Century in T20 World Cup History List
| Rank | Player | Team | Balls | Score | Opponent | Edition |
| 1 | Finn Allen | New Zealand | 33 | 100* | South Africa | 2026 |
| 2 | Chris Gayle | West Indies | 47 | 100 | England | 2016 |
| 3 | Harry Brook | England | 51 | 100 | Pakistan | 2026 |
| 4 | Pathum Nissanka | Sri Lanka | 52 | 100* | Australia | 2026 |
| 5 | Rilee Rossouw | South Africa | 56 | 109 | Bangladesh | 2022 |
| 6 | Chris Gayle | West Indies | 57 | 117 | South Africa | 2007 |
| 7 | Brendon McCullum | New Zealand | 58 | 123 | Bangladesh | 2012 |
| 8 | Sahibzada Farhan | Pakistan | 58 | 100 | Namibia | 2026 |
| 9 | Suresh Raina | India | 60 | 101 | South Africa | 2010 |
| 10 | Sahibzada Farhan | Pakistan | 60 | 100 | Sri Lanka | 2026 |
Finn Allen – 33 Balls vs South Africa (2026)
The most outstanding innings witnessed in the T20 World Cup history was that played by Finn Allen in the semi-final round of the 2026 edition. With total freedom at the crease, he scored his hundred runs in only 33 balls, shattering Chris Gayle’s old record in the tournament.
His innings was characterized by aggression through power-hitting right from the opening over, completely shifting the momentum of the knockout match in favor of New Zealand.
Chris Gayle – 47 Balls vs England (2016)
Prior to the record-breaking hit by Finn Allen, Chris Gayle held the world record for almost ten years. The Caribbean player thrashed England’s bowlers in the 2016 tournament, taking just 47 balls to score a century.
Gayle stayed not out throughout the game, scoring a century and steering West Indies to a successful chase. His innings contained monstrous sixes and is considered one of the best innings in an ICC tournament.
Harry Brook – 51 Balls vs Pakistan (2026)
English captain Harry Brook made it into the record books when he smashed a 51-ball hundred against Pakistan in the 2026 edition of the tournament. Harry Brook had played an elegant and aggressive innings to notch up one of the fastest hundreds in the history of the tournament.
Pathum Nissanka – 52 balls vs Australia (2026)
Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka delivered an innings that proved crucial for Sri Lanka as he hammered a hundred off only 52 balls against Australia in the 2026 World Cup.
Rilee Rossouw – 56 Balls vs Bangladesh (2022)
Left-handed South African Rilee Rossouw was the first cricketer to make a century in the 2022 edition. The aggressive batting by him against Bangladesh brought him a century in just 56 balls.
Rilee Rossouw had a good hand on pace and spin and took South Africa to a comfortable victory.
Chris Gayle – 57 Balls vs South Africa (2007)
The first ICC T20 World Cup was held in 2007 when Chris Gayle became the first batter in the T20 World Cup history to get a century in this event. He scored the century in 57 balls which lasted as a record for nearly ten years until he beat his own record in 2016.
Brendon McCullum – 58 Balls vs Bangladesh (2012)
One of the most destructive performances in the 2012 World Cup was by former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum. His century in 58 balls against Bangladesh is one of the fastest centuries in T20 World Cups.
Suresh Raina – India’s Fastest T20 World Cup Century
Suresh Raina remains to be the fastest century-scorer of India in the history of Men’s T20 World Cup. In the year 2010, Raina scored 101 runs from 60 balls against South Africa at St Lucia.
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Players with Multiple T20 World Cup Centuries
| Player | Centuries |
| Chris Gayle | 2 |
| Sahibzada Farhan | 2 (2026) |
Final Thoughts
The competition to break the record of fastest century in the T20 World Cup has thrown up some amazing performances including the devastating form shown by Chris Gayle to the phenomenal 33 ball century by Finn Allen in 2026. All these innings have entertained cricket fans across the world but have also defined aggressive batting in ICC events. Given the fast paced developments in T20 cricket, there could be some amazing centuries in the coming World Cups, though for the time being Finn Allen is the best.
FAQs
Who scored the fastest century in T20 World Cup history?
Finn Allen of New Zealand holds the record after scoring a 33-ball century against South Africa in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup semi-final.
Who held the record before Finn Allen?
Chris Gayle held the record with a 47-ball century against England in the 2016 T20 World Cup.
Who has the fastest T20 World Cup century for India?
Suresh Raina scored India’s fastest T20 World Cup century, reaching 100 in 60 balls against South Africa in 2010.
How many centuries has Chris Gayle scored in the T20 World Cup?
Chris Gayle scored two centuries, making him one of the tournament’s most successful centurions.
