Gustav McKeon etched himself in the record books, becoming the youngest ever player to bag a T20I century next to his name. Playing against Switzerland in Vantaa, the French player struck a 61-ball 109, featuring five fours and nine sixes.
McKeon reached the milestone at the age of 18 years and 280 days. No player before him has scored a hundred aged less. Notably, the youngster achieved the feat playing only his second international fixture.
He made his T20I debut on July 22 against fellow European rivals Czech Republic. It was an occasion he celebrated with a free-flowing knock of 76 off 54 deliveries.
The previous holder of the record for the fastest T20I century was Afghanistan’s explosive left-hander Hazratullah Zazai. He was aged 20 years and 317 days when he smashed Ireland for an unbeaten 162 not out off just 62 deliveries during a T20I match in 2019. McKeon beat Zazai to the record by two years and 37 days, which is remarkable coming from a player featuring in only his second outing at the highest level of the game.
At third in the coveted list is Romania player Sivakumar Periyalwar, who bagged his T20I century versus Turkey in 2019, aged 21 years and 161 days.
Following him up is Rwanda’s Orchide Tuyisenge, who fell 29 days short of Periyalwar in the record list when he reached the 100-run mark last year versus Seychelles.
Standing at fifth is Nepal’s rising young batter Dipendra Singh Airee, who made a T20I century this year against Malaysia aged 22 years and 68 days.
The hundred against Switzerland, however, would have brought a bitter-sweet feeling for McKeon, who later saw it go down in vain when the opposition defeated France in a close-fought encounter in Vantaa.
Despite their opener’s valiant hundred, France could only post a score of 157 for 5 in their allotted 20 overs. They were overhauled by a spirited Switzerland side that lost wickets at regular intervals but didn’t give up hopes and eventually reached the target with a four off the last ball.
