Punjab opener Abhishek Sharma created new history after he recorded the joint second-fastest T20 century in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25 Group A match against Meghalaya. 

After Meghalaya were restricted to 142/7 in 20 overs, Punjab opener and captain Abhishek Sharma thrashed the opposition bowlers to chase the target in 9.3 overs while his team lost three wickets. 

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Captain Abhishek Sharma took two wickets

While Meghalaya chose to bat first, captain Abhishek Sharma took the first two wickets as both the openers were the victims (Arien Sangma 13 and Ibitlang Thabah 17). Abhishek finished with the bowling figures of 4-0-24-2, where Arpit Bhatewara (31), Yogesh Tiwari (20), and Larry Sangma (21) reached the 20-run marks. Apart from the skipper Abhishek, Ramandeep Singh also bagged two wickets (2/18).

Abhishek Sharma completed his fourth SMAT century in 28 balls

In reply, captain Abhishek completely dominated with his bat. He completed his fifth T20 century and fourth SMAT hundred in just 28 balls. He finished the match with 106 not out off 29 balls with the help of eight fours and 11 sixes. 

Here are some key stats of the match:

• With his 28-ball T20 hundred, Abhishek recorded the joint second-fastest T20 century. In the ongoing SMAT season, Gujarat batter Urvil Patel also recorded a 28-ball century against Tripura. The fastest T20 century record is a 27-ball hundred by Sahil Chauhan for Estonia against Cyprus last June. 
• It was the fourth SMAT century for Abhishek, which is a new record for the most centuries in SMAT history.  
• Including his T20I century, Abhishek has recorded five centuries in his T20 career. He became the eighth Indian cricketer to hit at least five T20 centuries. 
• While Punjab won the match by seven wickets with 63 balls remaining, it was the second fastest 130+ runs chase in the T20 cricket history. The record is Saudi Arabia successfully chasing a 136-run target against Kuwait with 65 balls remaining.