Sri Lanka all-rounder Dasun Shanaka produced a record-breaking performance in the Caribbean Premier League, striking the fastest century in the tournament’s history during St Kitts & Nevis Patriots’ league-stage clash against Saint Lucia Kings in Basseterre.
Shanaka reached his century from just 39 deliveries, beating the previous CPL record of 40 balls jointly held by Andre Russell and Tim Seifert. He continued his assault after reaching three figures, finishing unbeaten on 121 from 43 balls.
His innings contained eight fours and 12 sixes, underlining the extraordinary power with which he dismantled the Saint Lucia bowling attack. The knock was also central to the Patriots posting a formidable 235 for four from their 20 overs.
Andre Fletcher provided strong support at the other end, scoring 64 from 38 deliveries. Together, the pair ensured that St Kitts & Nevis finished with a total that placed enormous pressure on the opposition.
Saint Lucia Kings never managed to mount a serious response. Their innings lasted only 13.5 overs before they were bowled out for 98, leaving the Patriots with a comprehensive victory and Shanaka as the clear headline-maker.
The century was particularly notable because Shanaka had not originally been expected to bat as high as third in the order. In the previous match against Antigua & Barbuda Falcons, he had come in at No. 7 and remained unbeaten on 49.
This time, head coach Malolan Rangarajan and captain Jason Holder opted to promote the 34-year-old into the top three. The decision proved decisive as Shanaka was given enough deliveries to build an innings before unleashing his attacking game.
Speaking after the match, Shanaka explained that his approach at the beginning was to assess the conditions rather than immediately take unnecessary risks. He focused on the quality of each delivery, the field placement and the opportunities offered by the bowlers.
Once he had spent some time at the crease and recognised that the pitch was favourable for batting, his approach changed. He decided to attack whenever the ball entered an area where he could play his shots with confidence.
That shift in tempo was reflected in the final stages of his innings. Having initially concentrated on building a foundation, Shanaka accelerated dramatically and struck sixes with remarkable frequency to turn a promising score into a record-breaking one.
Holder was full of praise for the Sri Lankan, pointing to his recent run of form and the importance of giving him a greater opportunity with the bat.
According to the Patriots captain, Shanaka was able to make the most of the additional deliveries he received. Holder also highlighted the way he initially remained composed before switching to an explosive approach towards the end of the innings.
For Shanaka, the performance represented more than just a personal milestone. By reaching three figures in 39 balls, he moved to the top of the CPL’s fastest-century list, while his unbeaten 121 helped transform the Patriots’ innings into a commanding total.
The performance also demonstrated why the decision to promote him up the batting order could prove valuable for St Kitts & Nevis. With Shanaka in the kind of form displayed in Basseterre, the Patriots possess a player capable of changing the course of a Twenty20 match within only a handful of deliveries.
The record therefore came alongside a complete team performance. St Kitts & Nevis posted 235 for four, Saint Lucia Kings were dismissed for just 98, and Shanaka walked away with a place in CPL history after producing the competition’s fastest century.
