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Rwanda’s Fanny Utagushimaninde says it was like “a dream” after becoming the youngest woman to make a Twenty20 international century at the age of 15 years and 223 days.<\/b><\/p>\n
Opening batter Utagushimaninde made an unbeaten 111 from 65 balls on her T20 debut in a 122-run victory over Ghana at a tournament in Lagos, Nigeria.<\/p>\n
She had reached three figures off 59 balls in the 18th over with a clip through mid-wicket off Ghana seamer Elizabeth Annor.<\/p>\n
The teenager eclipsed the previous record held by Uganda’s Prosscovia Alako, who was 16 years and 233 days old when she scored a hundred against Mali in June 2019.<\/p>\n
Utagushimaninde, who had came through a schools programme in Rwanda supported by the Marylebone Cricket Club Foundation, told BBC Sport it was slightly surreal when she reached the milestone.<\/p>\n
“It was a special moment for me and my cricket journey. A dream to achieve it on my debut at 15,” she said.<\/p>\n
“This shows my hard work, confidence and passion for the game. I’m grateful for the support from my coaches, team-mates and everyone around me.<\/p>\n
“I will keep pushing myself to improve and achieve more in the future.”<\/p>\n
Utagushimaninde’s score was also the highest by a woman on T20 debut, beating the 96 made by Australia’s Karen Rolton against England in 2005.<\/p>\n
Rwanda coach Leonard Nhamburo added: “This record-breaking performance is a testament of the hard work and dedication she did put in.<\/p>\n
“It’s something that Fanny earned through years of sacrifice and unwavering commitment to the game and a true testimony of how development cricket is coming through in Rwanda.”<\/p>\n
France’s Gustav Mckeon, at the age of 18 years and 280 days, is the youngest man to score a T20 international century for his 61-ball 109 against Switzerland in July 2022.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n