The Afghan top-order batsman has equaled the record for most centuries against the same team in youth ODIs.
Faisal Khan seems unstoppable against Bangladesh in youth cricket, scoring centuries almost every time he steps onto the field. In the Under-19 Asia Cup, he reached three figures once again, achieving a remarkable milestone. With this innings, the Afghan batsman has matched the record for the most centuries against a single country in youth ODIs.
On Saturday, at the ICC Cricket Academy ground in Dubai, Faisal scored 103 runs off 94 balls in a Group B match, hitting four sixes and eight fours.
This was Faisal’s third century in his last four matches against Bangladesh. Across six innings, he has now scored three centuries and one fifty, amassing 409 runs at an average of 68.16, with a highest score of 112. His other century was exactly 100 runs.
No other youth ODI player has scored three centuries against a single country.
Tawhid Hridoy achieved this feat against Sri Lanka in 10 innings, Shubman Gill scored three centuries in eight innings against England, and Sami Aslam hit three centuries against India in six innings.
Faisal came to the crease after Afghanistan’s opening partnership was broken on the last ball of the fourth over. He put on a 66-run stand for the second wicket with Usman Sadat, followed by a 93-run partnership for the third wicket with Uzairullah Niazi.
After reaching fifty off 59 balls, Faisal accelerated and completed his century in 91 balls. He could not add more as he was caught behind off a delivery from Iqbal Hossain Emon.
Faisal’s century helped Afghanistan post a massive total of 283 for 7 wickets.
