From India’s legendary Sachin Tendulkar to Bangladesh’s record-breaking Mohammad Ashraful, these cricket prodigies proved that age is just a number when it comes to conquering Test cricket — the game’s toughest format.
Yashasvi Jaiswal: The New-Age Run Machine
India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal recently grabbed headlines with yet another solid ton against the West Indies in the second Test of the IND vs WI series.
At just 23 years old, the stylish left-hander already boasts seven Test centuries and eight international tons — an outstanding feat for someone still early in his career.
Yet, Jaiswal isn’t the youngest to achieve this milestone. History remembers a handful of teenagers who reached three figures in Test cricket long before hitting adulthood.
Let’s look back at the top five youngest players ever to score a Test hundred.
5️⃣ Imran Nazir (Pakistan) — 18 years, 154 days
Pakistan’s Imran Nazir entered the record books in 2000, when he smashed 105 runs against the West Indies in Bridgetown.
His aggressive stroke play and fearless approach at just 18 made him one of Pakistan’s most exciting young prospects at the time.
4️⃣ Hamilton Masakadza (Zimbabwe) — 17 years, 354 days
Zimbabwe’s Hamilton Masakadza etched his name in cricketing history in 2001, when he scored 119 runs against the West Indies in Harare.
At just shy of 18, Masakadza became a symbol of hope for Zimbabwe cricket, demonstrating maturity beyond his years against a world-class bowling attack.
3️⃣ Sachin Tendulkar (India) — 17 years, 107 days
The “Little Master” Sachin Tendulkar, often hailed as the God of Cricket, made his first Test hundred at just 17 years and 107 days old.
His unbeaten 119 against England in Manchester (1990) was a glimpse of the greatness to come. Tendulkar went on to dominate world cricket for over two decades, ending his career with 100 international centuries and the 2011 ICC World Cup trophy.
2️⃣ Mushtaq Mohammad (Pakistan) — 17 years, 78 days
Before the modern greats, there was Mushtaq Mohammad, who achieved the milestone way back in 1961.
At 17 years and 78 days, he scored 101 runs against India in Delhi, making him one of the earliest teenage centurions in Test history. His innings came in an era when cricketing professionalism and infrastructure were still in their infancy.
1️⃣ Mohammad Ashraful (Bangladesh) — 17 years, 61 days
Topping the list is Mohammad Ashraful, who remains the youngest player ever to score a Test century.
In 2001, during a Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo, Ashraful stunned the cricketing world by scoring 114 runs at just 17 years and 61 days old.
His innings remains one of the most celebrated moments in Bangladesh’s early cricketing history — a sign of the bright future the young nation had in the sport.
A Legacy of Youth and Brilliance
From Mushtaq Mohammad in the 1960s to Jaiswal in today’s generation, these young stars have shown that talent and temperament can defy age.
Each of them, in their own era, inspired millions — proving that cricket is as much a game of courage and self-belief as it is of skill and experience.
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