BASSETERRE: Sri Lanka all-rounder Dasun Shanaka produced a stunning batting display to smash the fastest century in Caribbean Premier League (CPL) history as St Kitts and Nevis Patriots thrashed St Lucia Kings by 137 runs on Thursday.
Shanaka reached his hundred in just 39 balls, breaking the previous CPL record of 40 deliveries jointly held by Andre Russell, Tim Seifert and Shimron Hetmyer.
The Patriots also registered the biggest victory by runs in CPL history, surpassing Trinbago Knight Riders’ previous record 133-run win over Barbados Royals in 2023.
Sent in to bat, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots were 89-2 in the 10th over when Shanaka walked in at No. 4 and immediately changed the complexion of the innings.
Andre Fletcher had initially provided the impetus, smashing 64 off 38 deliveries with 10 boundaries, including four sixes, before he was dismissed by Maheesh Theekshana in the 14th over.
Shanaka launched his assault with back-to-back sixes on the leg side against Roston Chase before the dismissals of Fletcher and Jason Holder (1) in successive overs gave some hope to the bowling side; however, they failed to slow the Sri Lankan down.
He brought up his half-century from just 24 balls before taking the attack to Theekshana, hitting his compatriot for two sixes and a four.
Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel
Dasun Shanaka reserved his most destructive hitting for the final over, smashing Keon Gaston for four sixes and a four as 28 runs came from the over.
The explosive finish helped the Patriots collect 93 runs in the final five overs and post a mammoth 235-4.
Shanaka remained unbeaten on 128 from just 43 balls, with his record-breaking innings featuring eight fours and 12 sixes. He also shared an unbeaten 93-run stand from only 31 deliveries with Wanindu Hasaranga (9).
The Kings’ chase never threatened to match the Patriots’ imposing total as they were bowled out for just 98 in 13.5 overs.
Jeremiah Louis was the chief destroyer with a remarkable spell of 5-10 from 2.5 overs to complete a dominant victory for the Patriots.
The result has significantly boosted St Kitts and Nevis Patriots’ playoff hopes. They remain fifth in the table, but their net run rate surged from -0.547 to 0.593 following the emphatic victory.
READ: India appoint VVS Laxman as coach for Asian Games 2026
