Sediqullah Atal made history on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, by securing the record for the highest individual score in a One Day International by a player celebrating their birthday. The left-handed batter marked his 25th birthday with an explosive knock of 143 runs from 120 balls for Afghanistan during the fourth ODI against Ireland in Belfast, eclipsing the previous milestone held by New Zealand player Tom Latham.
Before Latham, legendary Indian captain Sachin Tendulkar held a prominent position on this unique list. Tendulkar scored 134 runs off 131 deliveries on his 25th birthday, guiding India to a six-wicket victory over Australia in the Coca-Cola Cup final in Sharjah on April 24, 1998. The club of players celebrating milestone birthdays with centuries also features former India batter Vinod Kambli, who became the pioneer of the feat by hitting an unbeaten 100 against England in Jaipur on his 21st birthday on January 18, 1993. Virat Kohli later mirrored the achievement for India by compiling an undefeated 101 runs from 121 balls against South Africa at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on November 5, 2023, his 35th birthday. Wednesday’s masterclass marked Atal’s second triple-figure score in the 50-over format. His maiden century had previously come via a 104-run performance off 128 balls against Zimbabwe in Harare on December 19, 2024
He also explained his move down to No. Afghanistan captain Rahmat Shah praised Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran for their crucial second-wicket partnership after Afghanistan secured a 42-run win over Ireland in Belfast. Shah said the team had targeted a 300-plus total and credited the batters for adapting well to the conditions while building the innings patiently. 8 as a decision based on the team’s requirements and maintaining their momentum. Afghanistan now lead the five-match ODI series 3-0.
Shah acknowledged Ireland’s strong fightback, particularly from Andrew Balbirnie and Curtis Campher, but said Afghanistan’s early wickets helped disrupt their momentum.
Record Partnership and Team Dominance During his remarkable 120-ball stay at the crease under the guidance of the Rahmat Shah-led team, Atal smashed 17 fours and four sixes. He orchestrated a mammoth 231-run partnership for the second wicket alongside opening partner Ibrahim Zadran, who contributed a stellar 107 runs off 118 deliveries, featuring 11 fours and a single six. Zadran’s own milestone performance elevated him to become the joint-third-fastest batter globally to accumulate 2,000 runs in ODI history. Furthermore, the 231-run association between Atal and Zadran established a new benchmark as the highest second-wicket partnership in ODIs for Afghanistan.
