Rwanda’s Fanny Utagushimaninde scripted history by becoming the first woman to score a century on T20I debut. The teenager struck an unbeaten 111 off 65 deliveries against Ghana in Lagos during the Nigeria Invitational Women’s T20I Tournament.
At just 15 years old, Utagushimaninde also set a new benchmark as the youngest centurion in women’s T20 Internationals.
The earlier record for the highest individual score by a woman on T20I debut had been held by Australia’s Karen Rolton, who made 96 not out against England in Taunton in 2005, in only the second women’s T20I ever played.
Before this achievement, the record for the youngest women’s T20I century belonged to Uganda’s Prosscovia Alako, who was 16 years and 233 days old when she scored 116 against Mali in Kigali in 2019.
In men’s T20I cricket, four players have registered centuries on debut, though none have represented a Full Member nation. Canada’s Matthew Spoors remains the highest scorer among them with an unbeaten 108 against the Philippines in 2022, while France’s Gustav Mckeon holds the distinction of being the youngest men’s T20I centurion at 18 years and 280 days.
Utagushimaninde’s landmark knock powered Rwanda to a total of 210 for 3. The next highest contribution came from Merveille Uwase, who made 32 not out from 19 balls, narrowly surpassing the 28 extras conceded, which included 25 wides.
Chasing the target, Ghana were restricted to 88 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs, handing Rwanda a comprehensive 122-run victory.
