MLC 2025: Faf du Plessis scripts world record with second hundred after turning 40

South Africa batter Faf du Plessis has become the first batter in the history of Twenty20 cricket to score more than one hundred after turning 40. Du Plessis achieved the feat when he hit a match-winning hundred for Texas Super Kings against MI New York in their Major Cricket Leauge match at Grand Praire Stadium in Dallas on Sunday, June 29.

Faf du Plessis had hit his first hundred after turning 40 earlier this season when he smashed 100 off 51 balls against San Francisco Unicorns on June 20. He had become only the fifth batter to hit a century in the shortest format of the game after turning 40.

Faf du Plessis, who struggled for fluency in Indian Premier League with Delhi Capitals, has found his mojo again, playing for the Super Kings in the third edition of the MLC. He is leading the batting charts in MLC 2025 with 317 runs in seven innings.

BATTERS WITH T20 CENTURIES AFTER TURNING 40

• Graeme Hick: Worcestershire vs Northants - 41 years, 37 days in 2007
• Paul Collingwood: Durham vs Worcestershire- 41 years 65 days in 2017
• Faf du Plessis - Texas vs San Fransisco - 40 years 342 days in 2025
• Faf du Plessis - Texas vs MI New York - 40 years 351 days in 2025
• Zubair Ahmed: Quetta Bears vs Bulls in 2014
• Imran Janat - Band e-Amir Dragons vs Kabul Eagles in 2019

On Sunday, Faf du Plessis was in imperious form as arch-rivals Super Kings and MI faced each other for the second time in the season.

Du Plessis hit nine sixes and five boundaries in a sensational onslaught, leading Super Kings' charge after MI New York won the toss and opted to bowl. TSK lost opener and wicketkeeper Smit Patel early, but Du Plessis tore into a Trent Boult-led bowling attack.

He added an 80-run stand with Saiteja Mukkamalla before joining hands with Marcus Stonis for a 57-run stand.

Faf du Plessis then allowed Donnovan Ferreira to do the bulk of the damanage. The South African batter smashed five sixes and three boundaries for his 20-ball 53.

Du Plessis remained unbeaten on 103 as TSK posted 223 on the board in their quota of 20 overs.

In response, a Kieron Pollard special - 70 off 39 balls -- went in vain as MI were restricted to 184 for 9 in 20 overs.

West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein was the hero with the ball, taking three wickets for just 15 runs in four overs.

Texas Super Kings are inching closer to a spot in the playoffs after having secured 10 points with five wins in seven matches.