Photo via Wisden

Uncapped 22-year-old breaks Pakistan legend’s national record with 49-ball first-class hundred

Twenty-two-year-old Muhammad Shahzad established a new national benchmark in domestic red-ball cricket by recording the quickest hundred by any batter representing Pakistan. Playing for Pakistan Television in the President's Trophy against Hyderabad Kingsmen Academy at the Diamond Club Ground in Islamabad, Shahzad reached the milestone in 49 balls, eclipsing the previous mark of 56 deliveries set by Misbah-ul-Haq against Australia in Abu Dhabi twelve years prior.

Coming to the crease with his side in early trouble at 34 for three, the right-hander counter-attacked aggressively to finish with 114 runs from 62 balls before falling to Zia-ul-Haq. His explosive effort included a 143-run partnership alongside Mohammad Taha, helping propel Pakistan Television to a total of 285 for seven by stumps after Sharoon Siraj also contributed an unbeaten half-century.