French Batter Gustav McKeon Breaks T20I World Record With Stunning Century

Updated - 26 Jul 2022, 12:53 PM

France National Cricket Team (Image Credits: Twitter)

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When he hit five fours and nine sixes in a 61-ball 109 against Switzerland at Vantaa, Finland, French opening hitter Gustav McKeon made history by being the youngest Men’s player to achieve a T20I hundred at the age of 18 years and 280 days in the ongoing third T20 World Cup 2024 Europe Sub-Regional Qualifier tournament.

The Afghanistan opener Hazratullah Zazai‘s 162* from 62 balls against Ireland in 2019 achieved at 20 years and 337 days was more than two years older than Gustav McKeon’s record.

France Fell Short Of The Target Despite Gustav McKeon’s Heroics

With 185 runs scored at a strike rate of 161 and an average of 92.50, McKeon leads the tournament in runs. His innings followed a daring 76 off 54 balls against the Czech Republic.

Despite the century, Gustav McKeon’s France fell short of completing the task and lost in a nail-biting last ball to their neighbours who had set a target of 158.

Top-of-the-order batsman Faheem Nazir of Switzerland took the lead with a 46-ball 67, and Ali Nayyer’s heroics in the final over secured the dramatic triumph.

The duo are tied on two points in group stage play after Nayyer hit 12 off the final three balls, including a four off the penultimate ball to stun the French. Norway is in first place in Group 2 after two convincing wins against Estonia and the Czech Republic, who have both yet to score.

Denmark, Italy One Step From T20 World Cup 2024

In Group 1, Guernsey and Austria are still unbeaten, but Luxembourg has lost both of its games. Although neither Bulgaria nor Slovenia has experienced success, they will face off on Wednesday.

Denmark National Cricket Team. Image Credits: Twitter

The Channel Islands are favourites to win their group, but Luxembourg gave them a fight for their money in a 17-run victory.

Shiv Gill of Luxembourg won Player of the Match honours after scoring 47 off 38 balls, but his efforts were in vain as seamer William Peatfield took three wickets to reverse the tide of the game.

The winner of the third Sub-Regional competition will compete in the Europe Qualifier next year against the European teams that did not advance to the 2024 event, namely Ireland, the Netherlands, and Scotland.