UAE captain Khurram Khan put himself into the record books by becoming the oldest player to score an ODI century during his team’s six-wicket win over Afghanistan yesterday.
Aged 43 years and 162 days, Khan overtook Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya, who at 39 years and 212 days, held the record after scoring 107 against India in Dambulla in January 2009.
It was a game that featured two centurions at Dubai’s ICC Academy. First, Nawroz Mangal hit 129 runs off 123 deliveries to help Afghanistan reach 280-5 with all-rounder Krishna Karate the pick of the UAE bowlers with figures of 3-45.
The UAE got off to a poor start with both openers out early. But Khan was in fine form, smashing 17 fours and one maximum in his unbeaten 132-run knock.
He also put on a 160-run third wicket partnership with Mohammad Shahzad (79) to see the team home with 10 balls to spare.
Before the match, Khan had said he wanted his team-mates to turn 50s into a century, and he certainly did that.
The win also gives the UAE a 2-0 lead in the four-match ODI series.
“It feels absolutely amazing,” said the 43-year-old. “It’s a good feeling to score a century, and to be on the winning side is like the icing on the cake. It’s one I will cherish for a long time and words cannot explain how I feel.
“When I got out on Friday (in the first ODI) I played a rash shot and that was on the back of my mind. Today, I played my shots naturally and was rewarded with a century.”
At the crease, Khan was assisted by right-arm medium bowler Shahzad, who replaced Amjad Javed. And the captain explained the reasons why Shahzad was brought up the batting order.
“Two hundred and eighty was a big target and Aaqib Javed (coach) and I thought if we lost some early wickets, we would move Shahzad up the batting order because he’s very good at hitting the ball and can help us gain a solid partnership. He certainly did that.”
The UAE can seal the series by winning tomorrow’s match.