Kusal Mendis Records Fastest Hundred By Sri Lankan In ODI World Cup 2023

Mendis continued to fire and achieved his third ODI century off just 65 balls.

Kusal Mendis in action.

Source : Getty

Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis scripted history when he recorded the fastest century by a Sri Lanka batter in men’s ODI World Cup on Tuesday against Pakistan at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. He had a stellar start in the 2023 ODI World Cup as he played a blitzkrieg of an innings against the South African side. But to his dismay, it was not enough for the Sri Lankan side as they fell short by 102 runs while chasing the mammoth total of 429, thanks to the onslaught caused by Proteas top-order.

However, in their second match of the tournament against Pakistan, batting first, Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka put together an outstanding partnership, accumulating 102 runs for Sri Lanka's second wicket until Shadab Khan finally made a breakthrough. Nissanka, who contributed 51 runs, was the one to depart, providing Pakistan with a much-needed wicket.

Mendis continued to fire and achieved his third ODI century off just 65 balls. He eventually departed for 122 runs off 77 balls, with Hasan Ali taking back-to-back wickets, giving Pakistan some relief.

Kusal Mendis achieved the fastest century by a Sri Lankan batter in a men's ODI World Cup match against Pakistan at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Tuesday. Mendis reached his century in just 65 balls, aided by 13 fours and four sixes. This remarkable feat ranks as the sixth-fastest century in men's ODI World Cup history, with the fastest being South Africa's Aiden Markram's 49-ball hundred against Sri Lanka in 2023 in Delhi.

Here are the fastest centuries by Sri Lankan batters in World Cup matches:

Kusal Mendis off 65 balls - Sri Lanka vs Pakistan - Hyderabad, 2023 (Final score: 122)
Kumar Sangakkara off 70 balls - Sri Lanka vs England - Wellington, 2015 (Final Score: 117*)
Kumar Sangakkara off 73 balls - Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh - Melbourne, 2015 (Final Score: 105*)

In the match, Sri Lanka's captain, Dasun Shanaka, chose to bat after winning the toss. Pakistan had an excellent start when Hasan Ali dismissed opener Kusal Perera for a duck in the second over. However, the partnership between Nissanka and Mendis turned the tide with a flurry of boundaries. Shaheen Afridi struggled with his rhythm, and Pakistan faced more challenges when Imam-ul-Haq dropped a seemingly straightforward catch at backward point.

Sri Lanka made one change in their lineup, with Maheesh Theekshana replacing Kasun Rajitha. As for Pakistan, they decided to drop the out-of-form Fakhar Zaman, bringing Abdullah Shafique to open alongside Imam.