Rcord-breaker Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton said he “wanted to cry” when the 22-year-old hit the fastest T20 international century ever off 33 balls for Namibia against Nepal.
Left-handed batsman Loftie-Eaton beat the record held by Nepal’s Kushal Malla, who featured in the match, by one ball, helped by 11 fours and eight sixes.
“It’s a very special feeling,” said Loftie-Eaton. “I’ve owed this to the team for quite a while now and it finally came off.
“In the 17th over, I thought to myself ‘okay, there are about 20 balls left’. I think I realised then that I was still on for 100. Some guys came up afterwards and told me that it’s the fastest.”
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Having set a target of 207, Namibia bowled Nepal out for 186, including figures of 2-29 from Loftie-Eaton in Kirtipur.
AN INNINGS TO REMEMBER 🏏💥
Nicol Loftie-Eaton reaching his century & breaking the world record for Fastest T20I century🏏 101(36) #RICHELIEUEAGLES #IXU #ITSTORGA #TRIODATA #AIRLINK #RADIOWAVE #FRESHFM #NOVA #EAGLESPRIDE PIC.TWITTER.COM/SXFNZE5DU1
— Official Cricket Namibia (@CricketNamibia1) FEBRUARY 27, 2024
Fastest T20 century: International record broken
Loftie-Eaton fell for 101 off 36 deliveries, and his memorable part in Namibia’s win made him tearful.
“It was pure emotion and happiness – I wanted to cry, actually,” said the member of Namibia’s 2021 T20 World Cup squad.
“It’s a good feeling, especially given the win as well. I didn’t think about it too much.
“I’m not a big guy on landmarks, as long as I can contribute to the team’s performance.
“Landmarks aren’t always going to help you win games.”
West Indies’ Chris Gayle retains the record he reached for the fastest century in all T20 cricket in 2013.
Gayle needed 30 balls to reach 100 for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors in the Indian Premier League.
