Who Scored the Slowest Century in T20I? Top 10 Slowest Centuries List

In T20 cricket, the style rests more on the aggressive bats and their high strike rates. Since it is only 20 overs that a batter is on the field, they are expected to knock over boundaries from the first ball. This means that the most common first strategy of most players is to go for the quick attack and score big in fewer deliveries. Not all matches are the same, though. Occasionally, bowlers make conditions tough for the batters, such as with tricky pitches, breakthrough wickets, or quality attacks, meaning that they must take it easy and go at their own pace, setting a sequence of run-up shots. Hence, the topic of the slowest century in T20 cricket is quite fascinating for cricket buffs. Just because a century happens slowly in T20 doesn’t necessarily mean the batsman is shoddy. Of course, in many places, players are heroes who do not break under pressure and save their teams from disaster with their good judgment, playing on a time-bound basis.

Furthermore, there have been many renowned cricketers who have played the sport using control more than aggression, achieving centuries in the process. These innings can sometimes turn into valuable hundreds, too.

Read Related Blogs: Slowest Century in Test Cricket | Slowest Century in ODI

What Is the Slowest Century in T20 Cricket?

Paul Stirling has the slowest century in T20 international cricket world record at the moment. The Irish athlete went beyond his 100 score in 2021 after 70 balls at his opening Test match against Zimbabwe. While contemporary Twenty20 cricket fundamentally brings forward an attacking style of play, it was a cautionary approach for Stirling as Ireland required stability throughout the Twenty20.

His knock was a testament to the fact that T20 cricket isn’t always about power hitting. However, don’t be impatient at times and make some shrewd batting decisions in game situations. Moreover, the work of Stirling over the past one hundred years kept Ireland in control and kept their job looking competitive. Therefore, his innings turned out to be one of the most discussed and spoken about centuries in T20I cricket. 

Top 10 Slowest Centuries in T20I Cricket

Paul Stirling’s: The Slowest Century in T20

Paul Stirling set himself apart with the fastest century, hurdling at a pace of 83 in T20 internationals. He completed the century against Zimbabwe in 70 deliveries, while playing in 173 innings. He has taken 70 pitches to complete his 100 innings against Zimbabwe and 73 deliveries in 173 innings overall. Many fans were hoping for aggressive batting, but Stirling wanted to stick to his alliances and save his life.

Also, low conditions weren’t conducive to playing with the ball. So he’ll make good shot choices, rather than go on shots that he has to take. The Lord’s men demonstrated just how well veteran players can adjust to game circumstances.

Martin Guptill’s Patient Knock

Martin Guptill was amongst the first to venture into slow T20 internationals. He hit the hundred mark in 2012 against South Africa in a match, where he hit the 100 mark in 69 deliveries. T20 cricket was a new form then, and the teams played more conservatively than today.

It was then a turn of the ball and Guptill, unbeaten, led New Zealand to the win. Plus, the South African bowlers were prolific during the game and insisted on taking trouble as their primary concern, leaving no option for him but to concentrate on staying stable.

Jos Buttler’s T20 World Cup Record

Jos Buttler’s record in the T20 World Cup is unique in the history of the tournament. Played a T20 World Cup 2021 qualification match against Sri Lanka, also hit a century in 67 balls in the tournament. That was the slowest 100th run in the tournament on record.

However, England couldn’t make progress on a consistent basis as Sri Lanka bowled tightly throughout the game. Buttler was calm, though, and amassed plenty of runs before attacking once he was mounted.

Rohit Sharma’s Heroic Century Against Afghanistan

In 2024, Rohit Sharma became the latest – and 103rd – batsman to add his name to the lengthy list of slow T20I centuries. After India folded up in the early stages of the innings, he came up on the century marker in a blockbuster 64 balls from Afghanistan.

The Indians started from 22/4 and picked off a number of wickets in rapid succession. Thus, Rohit adopted a steadfast strategy, tweaking his usual aggressive ground on-ground and adapting to a patient approach to the game build-up. He was late to strike well and developed partnerships and would hit controls if they presented themselves.

The century was slow by T20 standards, but it was certainly one of Rohit’s most useful innings of the century. Besides, his knock has given India a big cushion to overcome and bounce back with a huge score at the end. The whole inning was such an excellent example of knowledge and understanding of how to bat, not recklessly.

Why Do Slow Centuries Happen in T20 Cricket?

As for the slowest century in T20, it comes as a shock to the T20 fans as the game is known for being aggressive. Several important reasons, however, can make this format a driving force to slow-paced scoring.

How stroke play is played can be very challenging on difficult pitches. When surfaces have an uneven bounce or a slow ball, the batters have trouble with the ball. Secondly, they tend to fall early, and good players must play cautiously to save the game.

Mahela Jayawardene’s Classic Anchor Role

One of the first T20 international slow hundreds came from Mahela Jayawardene. When he clocked his 100, it was against Zimbabwe in 2010, in 63 balls.

T20 cricket was less frenetic then, with more old-fashioned batting styles than it is today. Jayawardene was more into hitting the ball at an opportune moment, hitting it at the right side, and establishing a partnership play rather than a relentless power play.

Slowest Century in IPL History

There are several slow centuries in international cricket, as well as several slow centuries in the Indian Premier League. KL Rahul’s ‘slowest IPL century’ record belongs to the list of fastest records.KL Rahul’s ‘slowest IPL century’ record is part of the list of fastest records.

In this IPL 2020, he scored his 100th off LCB in 62 balls for RRB. He scored his 100 in 62 balls against RCB in IPL 2020. But Rahul soon sprinted up and reached a huge unbeaten score. His effort throughout the innings showed “peelers” how sometimes they start slow but start to attack the ball later.

Captains Who Scored Slow T20I Hundreds

Some of the fast bowlers are also listed here, and so are several of the team captains with a slow hundred in T20 internationals. In 2022, Swiss batsman Faheem Nazir racked up a 65-ball century in Switzerland’s 2022 series opener against Estonia.

Meanwhile, Babar Azam and Rohit Sharma also joined the club of century hitters, having taken away over 60 deliveries.

Are Slow Centuries Bad in T20 Cricket?

Slow centuries have also been blamed on teams in T20 cricket by many fans. But this is not all the time right. Perhaps several slow hundreds did all the teams a favor and aided in making up for poor numbers.

Plus, there are significant variations in the cricket conditions from match to match. There will be some pitches that hitters can drive the ball out of the park, and others that provide strong ball control for the bowlers. So players will need to be flexible instead of blindly shooting at all the balls.

Final Thoughts on the Slowest Century in T20

Slow North faces a monumental task in the shortest format of the game as history rules against them with the slowest century in T20 cricket. Usually, the T20 game is all about driving, power, and big strokes, but sometimes, intelligent and cool shots are needed.

Mat Capps, Paul Stirling, Martin Guptill, Jos Buttler, and Rohit Sharma, who had all amply demonstrated the value of match awareness over hard hitting.

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