Dasun Shanaka Hits Fastest CPL Century: 39-Ball Ton Creates History
There are fast T20 innings, there are ridiculous T20 innings, and then there is what Dasun Shanaka produced in Basseterre.
The Sri Lankan all-rounder turned the Caribbean Premier League 2026 into his own highlight reel on September 3, smashing a stunning century from just 39 balls for the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots against the St Lucia Kings.
In doing so, Shanaka did something no batter had previously managed in CPL history. He became the first player to score a CPL century in fewer than 40 balls, breaking the previous record of 40 deliveries.
And he did not stop after reaching three figures.
Shanaka finished unbeaten on 121 runs from just 43 balls, with eight fours and a remarkable 12 sixes. His strike rate? An eye-watering 281.39.
Basically, the cricket ball spent the evening getting introduced to the boundary rope.
Shanaka Turns the Game on Its Head
The St Kitts & Nevis Patriots did not exactly have the dream start with the bat.
Shanaka walked in at No. 4 with the Patriots around 89 runs on the board, and the situation demanded someone to take control. Instead of taking his time, the Sri Lankan immediately switched into attack mode.
He first found the boundary against Joshua Bishop before taking on Roston Chase with consecutive sixes.
From there, the innings became increasingly brutal.
Shanaka brought up his half-century in only 24 deliveries. Once he reached fifty, there was little sign that he intended to slow down. He continued attacking the Kings’ bowlers and eventually reached his century in just 39 balls.
The final stages of the innings were particularly outrageous.
Shanaka finished with a flourish, smashing 28 runs from the final over and ending on 121 not out. According to CPL’s official match report, his assault contributed heavily to the Patriots producing 79 runs from the final four overs.
39-Ball Century Breaks an Eight-Year-Old Record
Before Shanaka arrived, the fastest century in CPL history belonged jointly to three explosive batters.
Andre Russell had first set the mark with a 40-ball century in 2018 for Jamaica Tallawahs against Trinbago Knight Riders.
The record then survived for several seasons before Tim Seifert matched it in 2025.
And just days before Shanaka’s incredible innings, Shimron Hetmyer had also reached three figures in 40 deliveries.
All three were suddenly moved down the list by one delivery.
Shanaka’s 39-ball effort means the CPL now has its first sub-40-ball century.
Fastest Centuries in CPL History
| Player | Balls | Team | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dasun Shanaka | 39 | St Kitts & Nevis Patriots | 2026 |
| Andre Russell | 40 | Jamaica Tallawahs | 2018 |
| Tim Seifert | 40 | St Lucia Kings | 2025 |
| Shimron Hetmyer | 40 | Guyana Amazon Warriors | 2026 |
| Shai Hope | 41 | Guyana Amazon Warriors | 2023 |
So yes, Shanaka beat three 40-ball centurions by just one delivery.
121* Off 43 Balls: The Numbers Are Even Crazier
The 39-ball century is the headline, but Shanaka’s complete innings makes the performance even more impressive.
He scored:
- 121 not out
- 43 balls
- 8 fours
- 12 sixes
- Strike rate: 281.39
- Century in 39 balls
His 12 sixes also set a new franchise mark for the Patriots, while his 121 not out became the highest individual score for the St Kitts & Nevis franchise, surpassing Evin Lewis’ previous unbeaten 102.
There is another fascinating detail: Shanaka’s 104 runs from boundaries came through his eight fours and 12 sixes. That’s the kind of innings where the running between wickets almost feels optional.
Patriots Post 235 Runs
Shanaka’s explosion transformed the Patriots’ innings.
After 20 overs, St Kitts & Nevis Patriots had reached a massive 235/4, currently one of the standout totals of their CPL campaign. Andre Fletcher also played an important supporting role, contributing 64 runs from 38 balls.
Shanaka, however, was clearly the main attraction.
His assault ensured that the Patriots finished with an imposing target and put the St Lucia Kings under enormous pressure from the start of their chase.
St Lucia Kings Have No Answer
If the Patriots’ batting was explosive, the Kings’ chase was the complete opposite.
St Lucia Kings struggled throughout the innings and were eventually bowled out for just 98 runs in 13.5 overs.
That gave the Patriots a massive 137-run victory.
Tim Seifert offered some resistance with 50 from 36 balls, but the rest of the Kings’ batting lineup could not provide enough support.
The target of 236 was always going to be difficult, but losing wickets regularly made the chase virtually impossible.
Jeremiah Louis Adds the Finishing Touch
Shanaka may have stolen the headlines, but the Patriots had another hero with the ball.
Jeremiah Louis produced a sensational bowling performance and claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in T20 cricket. His spell helped destroy the Kings’ chase and ensured that Shanaka’s batting masterclass ended with a huge team victory.
It was therefore a complete performance from the Patriots — explosive batting followed by ruthless bowling.
A Huge Moment for Shanaka
For Shanaka, this was more than just another T20 hundred.
The 34-year-old has built a reputation as one of Sri Lanka’s most dangerous power-hitters, but producing a record-breaking performance on the CPL stage adds another major achievement to his career.
Interestingly, the 39-ball century also matches the fastest T20 hundred Shanaka had previously recorded in Sri Lankan domestic cricket.
His CPL performance also came at an interesting point in his international career, with Shanaka having recently been recalled to Sri Lanka’s ODI squad for the England tour.
Patriots Keep Their Playoff Hopes Alive
The 137-run victory was hugely valuable for St Kitts & Nevis Patriots.
After eight matches, the Patriots recorded their third victory, keeping their hopes alive in the CPL 2026 playoff race. Their massive win also provided a significant boost to their net run rate.
More importantly, the team now has a performance that will be remembered whenever the biggest CPL innings are discussed.
And Shanaka’s name will be right at the top.
The Record Nobody Saw Coming
CPL has witnessed plenty of outrageous batting over the years.
Andre Russell has produced ridiculous power-hitting. Chris Gayle has dominated bowlers. Tim Seifert and Shimron Hetmyer have also produced breathtaking centuries.
But Shanaka has now gone one step further.
Thirty-nine balls. One hundred runs. Twelve sixes.
That single number — 39 — is now written into CPL history.
The previous record survived at 40 balls for years. Shanaka needed just one fewer delivery to make it his own.
And considering he finished with 121 not out from 43 balls, the record-breaking century was only part of the story.
For the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, it was a massive victory.
For the CPL, it was another reminder of why T20 cricket can go from calm to completely chaotic in the space of a few overs.
And for Dasun Shanaka, September 3, 2026, will be remembered as the night he hit the fastest century in Caribbean Premier League history.
