Mithali Raj (16y 205 days)
Mithali Dorai Raj has been the face of Indian Women's cricket and a pioneer of women's cricket in general for close to two decades.
Considered as one of the greatest batswomen of all-time not only because she is the highest run-scorer in women's international cricket, but also because Raj has many more accolades to her name, including being the youngest player in the history of the game to score an ODI century.
Mithali was just 14 when she was named in the probables for the 1997 Cricket World Cup but missed out on a spot. Soon, she made her international debut at the age of 16. She scored a 114* leading the Women in Blue to a massive 161 run victory against Ireland Women.
Shahid Afridi (16y 217 days)
If there exists a young player list that 'Lala' is not a part of, you know that the list is a total sham. Afridi made his international debut in October 1996 at the age of 16 when he was drafted into the ODI team as a leg spinner for the series against Kenya. He went wicketless and did not get a chance to bat.
However, he more than compensated for it when he played his next game against Sri Lanka. 'Boom Boom' Afridi was sent in to bat at no. 3 and the intrepid batsman whacked his way into the record books when he broke the record for the fastest century in ODI cricket, reaching the landmark in 37 balls. He equalled the record for the most sixes struck in an ODI innings (11).
And just like that, Shahid 'Boom Boom' Afridi, aged 16 years and 217 days became the youngest player to score an ODI century.
