Shanaka’s 39-Ball Hundred Is the Fastest in CPL History

Dasun Shanaka has set a new benchmark in the Caribbean Premier League, reaching three figures in only 39 balls. He ended the innings unbeaten on 121 from 43 deliveries, with 12 sixes and eight fours, as the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots piled up 235/4.

The St Lucia Kings never came close. They were dismissed for 98 in 13.5 overs, handing the Patriots a 137-run win.

A record by a single ball

The previous quickest CPL hundred came off 40 balls and was shared by Andre Russell, Tim Seifert and Shimron Hetmyer. Shanaka went one ball better, getting there with back-to-back sixes before pushing on to his final score.

The Sri Lankan said his plan at the start was simply to read the conditions and respond to each ball on its merits. Once he judged the pitch to be good for batting, he was prepared to take more risks on anything in his hitting zone.

Promoted up the order

Shanaka was sent in at No. 3 after coach Malonan Rangarajan and captain Jason Holder encouraged him to bat higher. Andre Fletcher offered solid support with 64 from 38 balls.

Holder praised the way Shanaka constructed his innings before accelerating in the closing stages.

A season of fast scoring

The century caps a productive CPL 2026 for Shanaka. After six innings he has 255 runs at a strike rate of 229.72, making him one of the most destructive batters in the tournament. The record knock adds a place in the competition’s history to a campaign that was already turning heads.