Rwandan batsman Fanny Utagushimaninde made history on Friday by becoming the youngest T20I centenarian. She achieved the milestone against Ghana in the Nigeria Invitational Women’s T20I Tournament at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval in Lagos.
At just 15 years and 223 days, Utagushimaninde broke the record previously held by Uganda’s Prosscovia Alako, who scored 116 against Mali in Kigali in 2019 at 16 years and 233 days. She smashed 111 off 65 balls, including 17 fours.
In men’s cricket, the youngest T20I centurion record is held by France’s Gustav McKeon, who scored a century against Switzerland in 2022 at the age of 18 years and 280 days.
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Utagushimaninde also became the first player in Women’s T20I history to score a century on debut, surpassing Karen Rolton’s record of 96 not out against England at Taunton in 2005 for the highest score on Women’s T20I debut.
In the men’s T20Is, the likes of Canada’s Matthews Spoors, Serbia’s Leslie Dunbar, Namibia’s JP Kotze and Canada’s Ravinderpal Singh scored centuries on debut, but none were from full member nations.
Fanny Utagushimaninde helps Rwanda break Ghana
On the back of Fanny Utagushimaninda’s century, Rwanda Women produced a commanding performance to beat Ghana Women by 122 runs.
Batting first, Rwanda posted 210/3 in 20 overs, powered by Utagushimanindo, who blasted his way to 111 off 65 balls at a strike rate of 170.76. Gisele Ishimwe (14) and Clarisse Uwase (15) made useful contributions while Merveille Uwase added a quick 32 to boost the total. The extras, including 25 wides, also helped Rwanda post an impressive score.
What a sensational knock from the Rwandan star as Fanny made a stunning 111 runs off just 65 balls on her senior national team debut.
Rwanda Women posted a massive 210/3 in 20 overs against Ghana
Now in play as Ghana chase 211 for victory. Can they do it? pic.twitter.com/ZmfhIUnYRS— Rwanda Cricket Association (@RwandaCricket) March 20, 2026
In response, Ghana struggled to build partnerships and finished 88/8 in 20 overs. Belise Murekatete bowled and took 3/20 while Marie Bimenyimana, Henriette Ishimwe and Merveille Uwase picked up key wickets. Only Kate Awuah offered resistance with 31 runs from 56 balls.
Utagushimaninde’s record-breaking century earned her the Player of the Match award, while Rwanda’s clinical all-round display underlined their dominance and set a high standard for the rest of the tournament.
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
20 March 2026 23:55 IST
