Finn Allen now holds the fastest century in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup history, reaching his hundred in just 33 balls against South Africa at Eden Gardens, Kolkata in 2026. The New Zealand opener’s explosive knock surpassed Chris Gayle’s long-standing 47-ball record and set a new benchmark for scoring speed in the tournament.
Before Allen’s record-breaking innings, Gayle’s 47-ball century against England at Wankhede in 2016 had stood as the fastest in the competition for nearly a decade.
Between 2007 and 2026, only a handful of centuries have been scored in 52 balls or fewer, highlighting how rare sustained high-tempo scoring is in the tournament.
These innings followed a similar pattern, consistent boundary hitting, controlled risk, and momentum built through the powerplay and middle overs rather than relying only on late-innings acceleration.
Fastest Hundreds in T20 World Cup – Top 7
| Rank | Player | Team | Balls to 100 | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Finn Allen | New Zealand | 33 | South Africa | Kolkata | 2026 |
| 2 | Chris Gayle | West Indies | 47 | England | Mumbai | 2016 |
| 3 | Chris Gayle | West Indies | 50 | South Africa | Johannesburg | 2007 |
| 4 | Brendon McCullum | New Zealand | 51 | Bangladesh | Pallekele | 2012 |
| 5 | Harry Brook | England | 51 | Pakistan | Pallekele | 2026 |
| 6 | Rilee Rossouw | South Africa | 52 | Bangladesh | Sydney | 2022 |
| 7 | Pathum Nissanka | Sri Lanka | 52 | Australia | Pallekele | 2026 |
1. Finn Allen (New Zealand) – 33 Balls (2026)
Finn Allen set the new record for the fastest century in T20 World Cup history during the 2026 edition. The explosive opener reached his hundred in just 33 balls against South Africa at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. His innings came in the group stage and immediately became one of the most destructive knocks ever seen in the tournament.
Allen dominated the bowling from the start, attacking both pace and spin with fearless stroke play. The New Zealand batter cleared the boundary repeatedly and maintained a scoring rate rarely seen in World Cup cricket, breaking the long-standing record previously held by Chris Gayle.
| Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100+ | 33 | — | — | — | Kolkata | 2026 |
2. Chris Gayle (West Indies) – 47 Balls (2016)
Chris Gayle holds the record for the fastest T20 World Cup century. He reached his hundred in 47 balls against England at Wankhede Stadium on 16 March 2016 and remained unbeaten on 100 off 48 deliveries.
The innings included 5 fours and 11 sixes at a strike rate of 208.33. More than half his runs came through sixes, reflecting sustained boundary dominance. It remains the benchmark for rapid scoring in the tournament.
| Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100* | 48 | 5 | 11 | 208.33 | Wankhede | 16 Mar 2016 |
3. Chris Gayle (West Indies) – 50 Balls (2007)
Gayle’s first T20 World Cup century came against South Africa in Johannesburg on 11 September 2007.
He brought up his hundred in 50 balls and went on to score 117 off 57 deliveries, striking 7 fours and 10 sixes at a strike rate of 205.26.
The innings maintained a run rate above ten per over across phases. Ten sixes underlined consistent aerial hitting rather than late acceleration. This knock set the early power-hitting standard in World Cup history.
| Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 117 | 57 | 7 | 10 | 205.26 | Johannesburg | 11 Sep 2007 |
4. Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) – 51 Balls (2012)
Brendon McCullum registered a 51-ball century against Bangladesh at Pallekele on 21 September 2012. He eventually scored 123 off 58 balls, including 11 fours and 7 sixes.
A strike rate of 212.06 is the highest among the top five fastest hundreds. Boundary distribution remained balanced, combining placement with power.
The innings stand as one of the most dominant performances in tournament history.
| Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 123 | 58 | 11 | 7 | 212.06 | Pallekele | 21 Sep 2012 |
5. Harry Brook (England) – 51 Balls (2026)
England’s rising star Harry Brook joined the elite list of fastest T20 World Cup centuries during the 2026 tournament. Brook reached his hundred in 51 balls against Pakistan at Pallekele, producing one of the standout innings of the event.
The English batter combined aggressive stroke play with excellent timing, attacking the Pakistan bowling lineup across the ground. His innings placed him alongside legends like Chris Gayle and Brendon McCullum in the list of fastest centuries in the tournament.
| Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100+ | 51 | — | — | — | Pallekele | 2026 |
6. Rilee Rossouw (South Africa) – 52 Balls (2022)
Rilee Rossouw reached his century in 52 balls against Bangladesh at Sydney on 27 October 2022.
He finished with 109 off 56 deliveries, striking 7 fours and 8 sixes at a strike rate of 194.64. Eight sixes indicate strong vertical scoring through the middle overs.
The acceleration phase pushed South Africa beyond 200. The knock directly contributed to a 104-run victory margin.
| Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 109 | 56 | 7 | 8 | 194.64 | Sydney | 27 Oct 2022 |
7. Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka) – 52 Balls (2026)
Pathum Nissanka completed his century in 52 balls against Australia at Pallekele on 16 February 2026.
He remained unbeaten on 100 from 52 deliveries in a successful chase of 182. The innings featured 10 fours and 5 sixes at a strike rate of 192.30.
Boundary scoring relied more on gap placement than pure power. The knock highlighted controlled pacing under chase pressure.
| Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100* | 52 | 10 | 5 | 192.30 | Pallekele | 16 Feb |
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Conclusion: Chris Gayle scored the fastest T20 World Cup Hundred
Chris Gayle’s 47-ball century against England in 2016 remains the fastest hundred in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup history. Only four other players between 2007 and 2026 have reached a T20 World Cup century in 52 balls or fewer, all at strike rates above 190.
These fastest hundreds in T20 World Cup history highlight sustained boundary dominance and structured power-hitting at the highest level.
