Ever since the T20I format came into existence, batters have reimagined how one bats in modern-day cricket. And Chris Gayle displayed it way back in 2007, scoring the first-ever T20I century.
Since then, several batters have surpassed the landmark figure in the shortest format. But being the first to raise a hundred in the T20I format is a special achievement.
Here, we’ll look at the list of first batters to score T20I centuries from each full member country.
Chris Gayle (West Indies): 117 vs South Africa, 2007
Chris Gayle was the first-ever batter to score a century in T20I cricket. The Universe Boss crossed the triple-digit figures in what was the first-ever T20 World Cup match and overall the 20th match in this format.
After being asked to bat first, he brought his ‘Gaylestorm’ in Johannesburg against South Africa. The left-hander opened the innings and smashed 117 runs in 57 balls at a strike rate of 205.26.
Gayle hit seven fours and 10 sixes in the process, taking West Indies to 205. But his effort went in vain as South Africa chased down the total with ease.
Brendon McCullum (New Zealand): 116* vs Australia, 2010
After over two years, the T20I format got its second centurion in Brendon McCullum. The former keeper-batter became New Zealand’s first T20I centurion.
McCullum scored an unbeaten 116 in 56 balls against Australia in 2010. He single-handedly carried New Zealand’s batting, smashing 12 fours and eight sixes.
Suresh Raina (India): 101 vs South Africa, 2010
In the fifth match of the 2010 T20 World Cup, Suresh Raina became the first Indian to score a T20I century. The southpaw batter came to bat at No. 3 and reached the triple figures.
Raina walked in at 4/1 in the first over and went on to score 101 runs in 61 balls. He hit nine fours and five sixes, propelling India’s total to 186, which they defended successfully.
Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka): 100 vs Zimbabwe, 2010
A day after Raina’s knock, Mahela Jayawardene joined the party, becoming the first Sri Lankan to touch the 100-run mark in T20Is.
The former Lankan captain accumulated 100 runs off 64 balls against Zimbabwe. Jayawardene stood strong on the pitch, with not much support from the other end. He slammed 10 fours and four sixes.
Richard Levi (South Africa): 117* vs New Zealand, 2012
Richard Levi, who had a 13-match short T20I career, etched his name as South Africa’s first centurion in the shortest format. He put on a relentless batting display against New Zealand in 2012.
Chasing a target of 174, Levi took charge in his hands, taking South Africa over the ropes. He opened the innings and slammed an unbeaten 117 in 51 balls, including five fours and 13 maximums.
Aaron Finch (Australia): 156 vs England, 2013
Aaron Finch brought Australia’s first T20I century against their rivals England in 2013. After being put into bat first, Finch hammered the then-highest individual score in the format.
Opening the innings, Finch amassed 156 runs from 63 balls at a strike rate of 247.61. The right-hander found the boundary ropes 25 times, smashing 11 fours and 14 sixes.
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Alex Hales (England): 116* vs Sri Lanka, 2014
During the 2014 T20 World Cup, Alex Hales rose as England’s first T20I centurion. The former opener scored a match-winning hundred against Sri Lanka.
England were chasing a target of 190 runs and faced an early setback, losing their first wicket on zero. Then Hales held on to one end and scored an unbeaten 116 off 64 balls to take England over the ropes in the last over.
Ahmed Shehzad (Pakistan): 111* vs Bangladesh, 2014
Three days later, Ahmed Shehzad raised the first ton for Pakistan in T20I cricket. He reached the triple-digit figures against Bangladesh.
Shehzad whacked an unbeaten 111 off 62 balls while opening the innings for Pakistan. He hit 10 fours and five sixes, helping Pakistan reach 190 runs.
Mohammad Shahzad (Afghanistan): 118* vs Zimbabwe, 2016
Another Shahzad from Pakistan’s neighbouring country joined this list in 2016. Mohammad Shahzad became the first Afghani batter to smash a hundred in T20I cricket.
The wicketkeeper-batter scored an unbeaten 118 in 67 deliveries against Zimbabwe in Sharjah. Shahzad slammed 10 fours and eight sixes, taking Afghanistan to an invincible total of 215 runs.
Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh): 103* vs Oman, 2016
In the 2016 T20 World Cup, Tamim Iqbal joined the bandwagon with Bangladesh’s maiden T20I hundred. He brought up the ton against Oman at the picturesque Dharamsala Stadium.
Iqbal took the Oman bowlers to the cleaners, racking up an unbeaten 103 runs off 63 balls. His hundred came at the right time, as it helped Bangladesh enter the main event.
Kevin O’Brien (Ireland): 124 vs Hong Kong, 2019
Kevin O’Brien had been playing for Ireland since 2006. And one of the most delightful moments for him in Irish colours came in 2019.
O’Brien became the first Irish batter to reach the 100-run mark in T20Is. The Irish legend hammered 124 runs from 62 balls at a strike rate of 200 against Hong Kong in the pentangular series.
Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe): 133* vs Ghana, 2024
Zimbabwe took the longest time to have their own T20I centurion among the full members. But when they did have one in October 2024, they got it in some style.
Sikandar Raza etched his name in record books as the first Zimbabwean to score a T20I century. He blew away Ghana’s bowling attack with his quick-fire 33-ball hundred.
Raza eventually remained unbeaten on 133 off 43 balls, which included seven fours and 15 sixes. His insanity propelled Zimbabwe (344/4) to register the highest team total in T20Is.
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