France's Gustav McKeon becomes youngest men's player to score a T20I century

Finland witnessed a world record being broken at the third T20 World Cup 2024 Europe Sub-Regional Qualifier competition. Gustav McKeon of France, the opening batter, became the youngest male player to hit a T20I century at the age of 18 years and 280 days. He smashed five fours and nine sixes during his 61-ball 109 against Switzerland in Vantaa.

Afghanistan’s Hazratullah Zazai’s previously held the record when he notched up an unbeaten 162* off just 62 balls in 2019 against Ireland. While Zazai was aged 20 years and 337 days when he created the record, McKeon surpassed him and became the youngest Men’s player to do so. In addition to leading the tournament in runs with 185, McKeon also has a strike rate of 161 and an average of 92.50. McKeon’s century followed a daring 76 from 54 balls against the Czech Republic.

Even after the century, McKeon’s France fell short of completing the task and lost in a nail-biting final ball to their neighbours who had set a target of 158. Top-of-the-order batter 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.

Nayyer scored 12 runs in the final three deliveries, including a boundary off the final ball to stun the French, bringing the pair’s group stage standings to a tie at two points. Norway is at first place in Group 2 after two convincing wins against Estonia and the Czech Republic, who are yet to open their respective accounts.

The winner of the third Sub-Regional tournament will compete in the Europe Qualifier

In Group 1, Guernsey and Austria are still unbeaten, while Luxembourg have lost both of its games. Yet to open their account in the competition, Bulgaria and Slovenia will face off on Wednesday (July 27). The Channel Islands are favorites to win their group, but Luxembourg gave them a fight for their money in a 17-run victory.

Shiv Gill of Luxembourg was named the Player of the Match 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 tournament 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.