- By Shailvee Tiwari
- Wed, 07 May 2025 11:12 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Today Google Googly Question: Shahid Afridi is one of the finest cricketers and one of his most unforgettable performances came in 1996 when he scored a century in just 37 balls against Sri Lanka. But did you know he didn’t use his own bat for that historic knock? Let’s explore the surprising backstory.
A Record-Breaking Innings:
At just 16, Afridi got a sudden chance to play for Pakistan in the Coca-Cola Tri-Nation Series held in Kenya and Sri Lanka. Playing only his second ODI in October 1996, Afridi shocked everyone with a 37-ball century, smashing 11 sixes and 6 fours. It became the fastest century in ODI cricket then and made headlines across the cricketing world.
The Bat Wasn’t His Own:
Here’s the twist—Afridi didn’t use his own bat for that innings. The bat actually belonged to Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar had given the bat to Pakistani fast bowler Waqar Younis as a friendly gesture. Before the match, Waqar handed over that bat to Afridi, thinking it might help the young player perform better. And it worked like magic.
A Rare And Iconic Moment:
Afridi was new and didn’t have all his gear. Borrowing equipment wasn’t unusual for young players. But scoring the fastest century using a bat from a rival nation’s top player? That’s the part no one expected. It also adds a bit of irony and beauty to the story, India and Pakistan may be rivals on the field, but this moment showed how sports can cross borders in unexpected ways.
Record Broken In 2014:
Afridi’s record stood strong for years until it was broken in 2014 by Corey Anderson of New Zealand and later in 2015 by AB de Villiers. Still, his innings with Sachin’s bat remains one of the most iconic stories in cricket.