French opening batter Gustav McKeon, at just 18 years and 280 days, became the youngest men's player to score a T20 International century, smashing five fours and nine sixes in a 61-ball 109 against Switzerland in the T20 World Cup 2024 Europe Sub-Regional Qualifiers.
In the third T20 World Cup 2024 Europe Sub-Regional Qualifier tournament, McKeon broke Hazratullah Zazai's world record by more than two years, with the Afghanistan opener's unbeaten 162 from 62 balls against Ireland in 2019 scored at 20 years and 337 days, according to ICC.
With 185 runs with a strike rate of 161 and an average of 92.50, McKeon leads the tournament in runs. His innings followed a strong 76 off 54 balls against the Czech Republic.
Despite scoring a century, France was unable to win, falling to their neighbours in a last-ball thriller as they attempted to reach a target of 158.
According to the report, Swiss captain Faheem Nazir led the top of the order with a 46-ball 67, while Ali Nayyer's heroics in the final over secured the dramatic triumph.
In the group stage match, the pair are tied on two points after Nayyer's 12 off the final three balls, which included a four off the penultimate ball to stun the French. Norway is in first place in Group 2 after two convincing wins against Estonia and the Czech Republic, who have both yet to score.
In Group 1, Guernsey and Austria are still unbeaten, while Luxembourg has lost both of its games. Although neither Bulgaria nor Slovenia have experienced success, they will face off on Wednesday.
The Channel Islands are favourites to win their group, but Luxembourg gave them a fight for their money in a 17-run victory.
Shiv Gill of Luxembourg won the award for "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 victor of the third Sub-Regional competition will compete in the Europe Qualifier next year alongside the European teams — Ireland, the Netherlands, and Scotland — who did not advance to the 2024 tournament.
List of youngest men's player to score a T20I century
Gustav McKeon - 18y 280d, France v Switzerland, Vantaa, 2022
Hazratullah Zazai - 20y 337d, Afghanistan v Ireland, Dehradun, 2019
Sivakumar Periyalwar - 21y 161d, Romania v Turkey, Ilfov County, 2019
Orchide Tuyisenge, 21y 190d, Rwanda v Seychelles, Kigali, 2021
Dipendra Singh Airee, 22y 68d, Nepal v Malaysia, Kathmandu, 2022.