A throwback to 1988 - Azhar's fastest ODI century

When Sehwag scored the fastest ODI hundred for India the other day, he took over the record from the classy Azharuddin. It sort of made me revisit the game when Azhar got his hundred of 62 balls in the Baroda ODI in 1988.

I didnt see a single ball of the match. I dont remember why, but the live telecast was not available that day for some reason on DD. I remember first of the match was straight driven for four off a bowler called Rashid Patel. Some might remember him, who was more famous for his clash with Raman Lamba than for his cricket. When NZ got 278, I was amazed. Not because they were not capable of getting thast many, but in those days the side batting first getting 284 was like match over. I alomost reconciled myself to the fact that India might lose this game and went off to play street cricket. I came in to listen to the commentary at times, and we were never really looking like we would win. Our street cricket game took over and I was totally engrossed in it and by the time it ended I had almost forgotten about India's chase. When it suddendly dawned on me to check up on the scores, I was in for a delightful shock. The hindi commentator on radio announced 'do sau athatthar' as India's score . It took me a while to comprehend that India were actually 278 and scores were equal. I went off to convey the news to my friends, who werent all that interested. India won eventually. I also later learnt that Azhar had got 108, and off 64 balls. I made up my mind that in our next street cricket game I would bat like him. Those were the days when India rarely had such terrific moments, and when they came they were worth remembering. So much so that 21 years later, I can still remember that day vividly.