Dasun Shanaka blasts fastest century in CPL history

BASSETERRE: Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka produced a breathtaking display of power-hitting in the Caribbean Premier League, smashing the fastest century in the tournament’s history as St Kitts and Nevis Patriots crushed Saint Lucia Kings by 137 runs.

Shanaka turned the match into a one-man batting spectacle on Thursday, reaching his century from just 39 balls before finishing unbeaten on 121 from 43 deliveries.

His remarkable innings included eight fours and 12 sixes, giving him a strike rate of more than 281. The assault transformed what had been a competitive Patriots innings into an imposing total of 235 for four in 20 overs.

The Sri Lankan arrived at the crease in the ninth over after Johnson Charles was dismissed, with the Patriots sitting on 89 runs. Rather than taking time to settle, Shanaka immediately attacked the bowling and rapidly shifted the momentum in his side’s favour.

He brought up his half-century in only 24 balls before accelerating even further. Boundaries and towering sixes continued to rain down as the Kings struggled to find a way to contain him.

Shanaka’s century came in the 19th over, completing the fastest hundred ever recorded in the CPL. He then finished the innings in style, striking four sixes and a boundary in the final over to leave the Patriots with a huge total.

His explosive knock surpassed the previous CPL record of 40 balls, jointly associated with Andre Russell, Tim Seifert and Shimron Hetmyer.

The Patriots’ bowlers ensured Shanaka’s effort was followed by an equally dominant performance. Saint Lucia Kings never looked comfortable in the chase and were bowled out for just 98 in 13.5 overs.

Jeremiah Louis was the standout bowler, claiming five wickets for 10 runs, while only Tim Seifert offered meaningful resistance with a half-century.

The 137-run victory became one of the Patriots’ most emphatic results of the campaign, but the night belonged overwhelmingly to Shanaka.

For the Sri Lankan, the innings was more than just a spectacular personal score. It was a reminder of the impact an aggressive middle-order all-rounder can have in T20 cricket when conditions and confidence come together.

With 121 unbeaten runs from only 43 balls, Shanaka left Warner Park having rewritten a major CPL record — and produced an innings that will be remembered as one of the tournament’s most explosive batting performances.