Jos Buttler hit England’s fastest one-day international century to lead them to an 84-run win over Pakistan in Sharjah and a 3-1 series victory. Buttler reached three figures in 46 balls, beating the 61-ball hundred he made against Sri Lanka in May 2014. The wicketkeeper hit 10 fours and eight sixes in his 116 not out from 52 balls as England posted 355-5. Pakistan briefly threatened a thrilling chase, but were bowled out for 271, with Moeen Ali taking 3-53.

Buttler’s effort was the joint-seventh fastest in the history of ODI cricket and
the quickest against Pakistan. He has now scored the three fastest England centuries in the 50-over game, along with a 66-ball hundred against New Zealand in June.

The record for the fastest hundred in ODIs is the 31-ball effort of South Africa’s AB de Villiers made against West Indies in Johannesburg in January 2015. Buttler is only the third batsman to score two ODI hundreds coming in to bat after the 25th over of the innings. AB de Villiers (five) and Virat Kohli (two) are the others.