At 18 years, 280 days, French teenager Gustav McKeon became the youngest player to score a T20I hundred in men’s cricket. During the ongoing European T20 World Cup qualifying Group B match Gustav made 109 runs in 61 balls. His innings consisted of five fours and nine sixes. With this century, McKeon broke the earlier milestone of Hazratullah Zazai.
In 2019, Afghanistan opener Hazratullah Zazai scored a record unbeaten 162 in just 62 deliveries against Ireland. Zazai was 20 years and 337 days old at the time. Apart from these two, others on the list include Sivakumar Periyalwar at 21 years, 161 days against Turkey and Orchide Tuyisenge at 21 years, 190 days.
Gustav McKeon, youngest T20 centurion
Sunday’s matchup with the Czech Republic was Gustav McKeon’s ideal debut. He hit an incredible 54-ball 76. The Frenchmen reached 153/6 thanks to the right-hander’s eight fours and a six. In the end, a four off the final ball of the run-chase allowed Switzerland to surpass France’s 157 for five and secure a one-wicket victory despite the teenage batsman’s futile hundred. So far in the tournament, Gustav McKeon has scored 185 runs at 92.50 while striking at an incredible 160.86.
With one win and one loss, France is ranked second in Group B in the Europe Qualifier. On July 27, the team led by Noman Amjad will play Norway. Norway now leads the rankings after two victories in as many matches. With two victories apiece, the top two teams in Group A are currently Austria (+4.450) and Guernsey (+1.892). The knockout rounds are expected to take place on July 31, at Kerava. The third Sub-Regional Qualifier winner will compete in the Europe Qualifier the following year alongside Jersey, Germany, Italy, Denmark, and other nations.
The current group rankings are:
Group A:
- Austria (4 points)
- Guernsey (4 points)
- Luxembourg (0 points)
- Bulgaria (0 points)
- Slovenia (0 points)
Group B:
- Norway (4 points)
- France (2 points)
- Switzerland (2 points)
- Czech Republic (0 points)
- Estonia (0 points)
