A record that had stood for over a decade in Pakistani cricket was rewritten on September 24, 2026, when Muhammad Shahzad reached three figures off 49 deliveries for Pakistan Television during the third-round opener of the President’s Trophy at Diamond Cricket Ground in Islamabad. The feat surpassed the previous national benchmark set by Misbah-ul-Haq, who had needed 56 balls to bring up his century against Australia in the second Test at Abu Dhabi in 2014.
Shahzad did not stop at the milestone. He went on to finish with 114 off 62 balls, an innings built on 12 fours and 8 sixes. The 49-ball effort also places him eighth on the all-time list of fastest first-class centuries in world cricket history, according to reports published on September 24, 2026.
The context around Misbah’s 2014 effort is worth noting. That Abu Dhabi hundred had equalled Viv Richards’ longstanding record for the quickest century in Test cricket. Brendon McCullum subsequently claimed that distinction two years later, reaching three figures off 54 balls for New Zealand against Australia in the second Test at Christchurch.
How did Shahzad’s innings take shape against Kingsmen Academy?
Pakistan Television were in early trouble against Kingsmen Academy, reduced to 34 for 3 before Shahzad walked in at No. 5. What followed was a fourth-wicket stand of 143 runs between Shahzad and Mohammad Taha, who contributed 43 to the partnership. The alliance steadied the innings and gave PTV a platform from which to recover after the top-order collapse.
The century was Shahzad’s sixth in first-class cricket, coming across 21 matches. He has also accumulated experience in 22 List A games and 26 T20s, making him a well-rounded presence across all three formats at the domestic level.
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What is the background to Shahzad’s domestic career?
Shahzad developed through the PCB’s age-group pathway, earning representative honours for Pakistan at both Under-16 and Under-19 level. His exposure to high-pressure youth cricket included participation in the Under-19 World Cup held in South Africa in early 2020, a tournament that gave him his first taste of global competition.
He subsequently progressed into franchise cricket, making his Pakistan Super League debut with Islamabad United during the 2025 edition of the competition, where he featured in six matches. The President’s Trophy record-breaking knock represents the most prominent individual milestone of his domestic career to date.
