Rwandan girl (15) youngest to smash T20 century

Rwanda’s Fanny Utagushimaninde says it was like “a dream” after becoming the youngest to make a Twenty20 international century at the age of 15 years and 223 days.

Opening batter Utagushimaninde made an unbeaten 111 from 65 balls on her T20 debut in a 122-run victory over Ghana at a tournament in Lagos, Nigeria.

She had reached three figures off 59 balls in the 18th over with a clip through mid-wicket off Ghana seamer Elizabeth Annor.

The teenager eclipsed the previous record held by Uganda’s Prosscovia Alako, who was 16 years and 233 days old when she scored a hundred against Mali in June 2019.

Utagushimaninde, who came through a schools programme in Rwanda supported by the Marylebone Cricket Club Foundation, told BBC Sport it was slightly surreal when she reached the milestone.

“It was a special moment for me and my cricket journey. A dream to achieve it on my debut at 15,” she said.

Utagushimaninde’s score was also the highest by a woman on T20 debut, beating the 96 made by Australia’s Karen Rolton against England in 2005.

France’s Gustav Mckeon, at the age of 18 years and 280 days, is the youngest man to score a T20 international century for his 61-ball 109 against Switzerland in July 2022.

Scores:

Rwanda 210-3 in 20 overs (Fanny Utagushimaninde 111 not out)
Ghana 88-8 in 20 overs (Awuah 31, Murekatete 3-20) 

(BBC sport)