The Race to a Ton: Who Smashed the First Century of the T20 World Cup 2024?

The 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, co-hosted by the West Indies and the United States, has seen a flurry of exciting matches with nail-biting finishes and breathtaking displays of power-hitting. But with every batsman looking to etch their name in cricketing history, a burning question arises: Who smashed the first century of this tournament?

While the tournament is still unfolding (as of June 11th, 2024), the race for the first hundred has been intense. Big names like Suryakumar Yadav (India), Babar Azam (Pakistan), and Jos Buttler (England) are always threats to unleash a ton, but a surprise contender might have emerged!

The Contenders for the First Century

The Established Stars:

⊸ Suryakumar Yadav (India): The current king of improvisation and the leading run scorer in the ICC T20 rankings, Surya is a constant threat. His ability to find unconventional gaps and score boundaries at will makes him a strong contender.

⊸ Babar Azam (Pakistan): Known for his elegant stroke-making and calm demeanor, Babar can effortlessly convert 50s into hundreds. His experience and hunger for big scores make him a force to be reckoned with.

⊸ Jos Buttler (England): The explosive English wicket-keeper batsman is a nightmare for bowlers with his ability to hit sixes at will. His recent form and power-hitting credentials make him a potential candidate for the first century.

The Dark Horses:

⊸ Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan): The young Afghan opener has surprised everyone with his fearless batting and clean hitting. Leading the run charts so far in the tournament, Gurbaz could be a breakout star and potentially score a big one.

⊸ Aaron Jones (USA): Playing on home soil, the American batsman has impressed with his consistent run-scoring throughout the tournament. With the crowd behind him and the pressure mounting, Jones could rise to the occasion and notch a memorable century.

⊸ Andries Gous (South Africa): The experienced South African middle-order batsman brings stability and power to the Proteas batting. If the situation allows, Gous has the temperament and skills to convert a half-century into a big score.

A Look Back at T20 World Cup History:

While the wait for the first century continues, it’s interesting to revisit past tournaments. Here are some notable first hundreds in T20 World Cup history:

⊸ Chris Gayle (West Indies, 2007): The undisputed king of T20 batting, Gayle smashed a blistering 117 off just 56 balls against South Africa, setting a record for the fastest T20 World Cup century that still stands today.

⊸ Shane Watson (Australia, 2012): The all-rounder displayed his power-hitting prowess against Bangladesh, scoring a dominant 124 off 56 deliveries, propelling Australia to a massive victory.

⊸ Virat Kohli (India, 2014): The former Indian captain displayed his class against Pakistan, scoring a well-constructed 103 off 60 balls, helping India register a convincing win.

The Importance of the First Century

The first century of a tournament often holds a special significance. It sets the tone for the rest of the competition, inspiring other batsmen to push their boundaries and chase similar milestones.

Who will it be then? Will an established star like Suryakumar or Babar claim the first century, or will a player like Gurbaz or Jones create a historic upset? Only time will tell!

Stay tuned! Keep an eye on the ongoing T20 World Cup matches, and don’t miss out on the moment the first batsman breaks the century barrier. It promises to be an epic feat!

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