Abhishek Sharma smashes record 30-ball century as India sweep Afghanistan

Abhishek Sharma smashed the fastest T20I century by a batter from a Test-playing nation, reaching the milestone in 30 balls during India's 127-run victory over Afghanistan in the third and final T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday. The 26-year-old left-hander's explosive knock, which included 11 sixes and nine fours, powered India to a total of 221 for 7 and secured a 3-0 series sweep. Sharma's century broke the previous record for a Full Member nation, which was jointly held by New Zealand's Finn Allen and Zimbabwe's Sikandar Raza at 33 balls. He also surpassed the Indian national record of 35 balls set by Rohit Sharma against Sri Lanka in 2017. The innings was the third-fastest overall in T20I history, behind only Estonia's Sahil Chauhan (27 balls) and Turkey's Muhammad Fahad (29 balls). After reaching his hundred in the ninth over, Sharma celebrated by sitting cross-legged on the pitch in a meditation pose, a gesture reminiscent of Manchester City striker Erling Haaland's celebration. He was eventually dismissed for 108 off 34 balls in the tenth over, caught behind off Rashid Khan.