Mohammad Haris overtakes Babar Azam’s record with blistering T20I century

Mohammad Haris lit up the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday night with a breathtaking knock, powering Pakistan to a 3-0 series sweep over Bangladesh in the third and final T20I.

Chasing a stiff 197-run target, the wicketkeeper-batter turned the game into a one-man show, smashing an unbeaten 107 off just 46 balls. His innings, decorated with eight fours and seven towering sixes, came at a staggering strike rate of 232.60 and earned him the Player of the Match and Player of the series awards.

But beyond helping seal the win, Haris also etched his name into the record books.

He became Pakistan’s second-fastest centurion in T20I history, reaching his maiden hundred in just 45 balls—surpassing Babar Azam’s 49-ball ton against South Africa in 2021 and Ahmed Shehzad’s 58-ball effort in 2014. The only faster century by a Pakistani in the format remains Hasan Nawaz’s 44-ball blitz against New Zealand earlier this year.

Pakistan’s fastest T20I centuries:

• 44 balls – Hasan Nawaz vs New Zealand, Auckland (2025)
• 45 balls – Mohammad Haris vs Bangladesh, Lahore (2025)
• 49 balls – Babar Azam vs South Africa, Centurion (2021)
• 58 balls – Ahmed Shehzad vs Bangladesh, Dhaka (2014)
• 58 balls – Babar Azam vs New Zealand, Lahore (2023)

Haris’ fireworks came after Pakistan suffered an early jolt, losing opener Sahibzada Farhan for just 1 in the opening over. But he found an able partner in Saim Ayub, and together they laid a solid foundation, racing to 56 in the powerplay.

The pair added 92 runs for the second wicket, with Saim playing a brisk hand of 45 from 29 deliveries, including four sixes. He was eventually dismissed by Tanzim Hasan Sakib just before the 10-over mark.

Haris kept the momentum going, bringing up his half-century shortly after and accelerating even further. Hasan Nawaz chipped in with a rapid 26 off 13 balls before falling at 137-3.

Still, there was no stopping Haris. He tore into the Bangladeshi attack, reaching his century in the 17th over and guiding Pakistan home with 16 balls to spare. Skipper Salman Ali Agha added a calm 15 off 12 balls at the other end, but it was Haris who remained the standout, finishing unbeaten on 107.

Earlier in the evening, Bangladesh had posted 196-6 after being put in to bat. Openers Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Hossain Emon got them off to a flyer, stitching a 110-run stand inside 11 overs. Parvez was the aggressor, scoring 66 off 34 balls, while Tanzid contributed 42 from 32.

Despite the strong start, Bangladesh couldn’t fully capitalize as Pakistan’s bowlers bounced back in the latter half. Hasan Ali and Abbas Afridi claimed two wickets apiece, while Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf picked up one each.