Aiden Markram delivered a spectacular 49-ball century, setting a new record for the fastest hundred in the men’s 50-overs World Cup.
Aiden’s performance at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday played a crucial role in South Africa’s commanding victory over Sri Lanka by a margin of 102 runs.
Record-breaking Show by South Africa’s Top Order
South Africa’s top-order batters dominated the scene, with three achieving quick centuries, leading the team to set a new tournament record with a staggering total of 428-5. While Quinton de Kock made a dazzling 100 and Rassie van der Dussen contributed a powerful 108, Markram’s explosive 106 from 54 balls stole the limelight. Markram surpassed Kevin O’Brien’s 50-ball record against England in the 2011 World Cup. Consequently, South Africa’s impressive score took the mantle from Australia’s 417-6 against Afghanistan in 2015, crowning the highest total in the men’s World Cup.
Sri Lanka’s Pursuit and South Africa’s Victory
Although the former champions, Sri Lanka, managed to muster 326 in 44.5 overs, their efforts were overshadowed by the brilliance of South African batters. Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, and Dasun Shanaka did show some resistance with scores of 76, 79, and 68, respectively. But the initial momentum set by South Africa’s rollicking 204-run partnership between De Kock and Van der Dussen proved too much for Sri Lanka. Despite Mendis’s valiant 42-ball innings and half-centuries by Asalanka and Shanaka, Sri Lanka could only reduce the defeat margin.
