Scoring a century at the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup is a dream moment for any young cricketer. Doing it at lightning speed makes it even more special. Over the years, the U19 World Cup has produced several breathtaking hundreds that announced future stars to the world.
In the ongoing U19 World Cup 2026, Australia’s Will Malajczuk has rewritten history by smashing the fastest century ever in U19 World Cup cricket, reaching the milestone in just 51 balls against Japan. This knock now sits at the top of the under 19 fastest century list, pushing previous record holders down the order.
Along with him, England’s Ben Mayes and several Indian youngsters have ensured that the 2026 edition becomes one of the most explosive tournaments in youth cricket history.
Before 2026, the fastest U19 World Cup hundred belonged to Pakistan’s Qasim Akram, who scored a 63-ball century in 2022. That record stood strong for four years.
However, modern power-hitting, fearless intent, and flatter pitches have changed the game. The 2026 tournament has seen multiple ultra-fast centuries, clearly showing how aggressive youth cricket has become.
Under-19 Fastest Century List (U19 World Cup – Updated till 2026)
| Rank | Player | Balls Taken | Team | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Will Malajczuk | 51 | Australia | Japan | 2026 |
| 2 | Vaibhav Suryavanshi | 55 | India | England | 2026 |
| 3 | Qasim Akram | 63 | Pakistan | Sri Lanka | 2022 |
| 4 | Ben Mayes | 65 | England | Scotland | 2026 |
| 5 | Raj Bawa | 69 | India | Uganda | 2022 |
| 6 | Viran Chamuditha | 75 | Sri Lanka | Japan | 2026 |
| 7 | George van Heerden | 89 | South Africa | Ireland | 2022 |
| 8 | Jason Rolles | 90 | South Africa | Tanzania | 2026 |
| 9 | Finn Allen | 92 | New Zealand | West Indies | 2018 |
| 10 | Shubman Gill | 93 | India | Pakistan | 2018 |
| 11 | Angkrish Raghuvanshi | 93 | India | Uganda | 2022 |
Fast centuries at the U19 World Cup often signal future international stars. Past names from this list, such as Shubman Gill and Finn Allen, have already established themselves at the senior level.
The 2026 edition stands out because:
- Multiple centuries have come under 70 balls
- Associate teams like Japan and Uganda are part of record-breaking games
- Batters are showing T20-style intent in a 50-over tournament
This trend reflects how modern coaching and fearless mindsets are shaping the next generation.
Also see: ICC ODI Rankings Update: Daryl Mitchell Replaces Virat Kohli as World No.1 Batter
2026 World Cup: A Tournament of Fast Scoring
The rise of players like Will Malajczuk and Ben Mayes has made the under 19 fastest century list one of the most searched topics of the tournament. With the World Cup still ongoing, there is a real chance that more records could fall before the final.
