Hamilton Masakadza became the youngest ever cricketer to score a century on Test debut. At the age of 17 years and 254 days, Hamilton scored a brilliant 119 against the West Indies in Bulawayo in 2000-01. This record has since been eclipsed by Mohammad Ashraful. His knock helped Zimbabwe draw a Test match and he was looked upon as one for the future.

Hamilton took some time out to pursue his studies at University of Free State in South Africa. The combined pressure of studies and playing cricket affected his performance and he had a poor outing in the domestic season. The selectors decided to wait for his return to Zimbabwe after his studies, but the Rebel crisis in the 2004 season prompted a hasty recall to the national team. Playing against England, he struggled to make an impression, but he bounced back with a gritty fifty in the last match.