Namibia's Loftie-Eaton slams fastest-ever T20I century

Namibia's Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton pulverised the Nepal bowling en route to scoring the fastest-ever T20I century on Tuesday, February 27 at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Nepal.

Nepal are hosting Namibia and Netherlands in a T20I tri-series. On Tuesday, Nepal and Namibia squared off in the first match of the three-team tournament. The tourists got off to a slow start and were placed at 62/3 in 10.4 overs when Loftie-Eaton came out to bat.

The 22-year-old went into overdrive from the get-go and took the Nepal bowlers to the cleaners. Loftie-Eaton required 18 balls to get to his half-century. The southpaw needed just 15 more deliveries to get to the magical three-figure mark. He reached his century with a boundary off Dipendra Singh in just 33 deliveries.

Incidentally, the previous fastest T20I century was scored by Nepal's Kushal Malla and it came against Mongolia last year off 34 balls in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. This time, Malla bowled just one over before Loftie-Eaton came out to bat and conceded just seven runs. After the left-handed batter made his entry at the crease, the flamboyant Nepal all-rounder was a mere spectator as he saw his bowlers being thrashed to all parts of the ground.

Loftie-Eaton eventually got out for 101 off 36 deliveries after hitting 11 fours and eight sixes. Namibia finished on 206/4 in their 20 overs. Malan Kruger, who had opened the batting, remained unbeaten on 59 off 48 balls. He scored just 29 out of the 135-run partnership he had with the centurion.

Chasing the daunting total, Nepal gave a good account of themselves thanks to contributions from captain Rohit Paudel, Dipendra Singh, and Malla. Even pacer Sompal Kami hit a few lusty blows before the hosts were bowled out for 186 in 18.5 overs, losing by 20 runs.

Ruben Trumpelmann starred with the ball for Namibia as he finished with figures of 4/29 in 3.5 overs. Meanwhile, Bernard Scholtz, Jan Frylinck, and Loftie-Eaton chipped in with two wickets apiece.

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