NEW DELHI: Zimbabwe set a new T20I world record with a staggering total of 344 in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Africa Qualifier against Gambia on Wednesday, surpassing Nepal’s previous benchmark of 314 which they achieved against Mongolia during Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023.
Leading the charge was skipper Sikandar Raza, who delivered an extraordinary knock of 133* off just 43 balls with 15 sixes and 7 fours, marking his place in history as the first Zimbabwean to score a century in T20 internationals.
Raza’s blistering innings was filled with aggressive strokes, as he dominated the Gambia bowlers, hitting boundaries and clearing the ropes with ease.
He reached his century off 33 balls which equals Namibia’s Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton as the second-fastest in T20I cricket.
It remains six balls slower than Sahil Chauhan’s 27-ball hundred for Estonia against Cyprus in June.
Australian opener Aaron Finch holds the record for highest individual score in T20Is with 172 against Zimbabwe in Harare in 2018.
Openers Brian Bennett and T Marumani tore apart the Gambian bowling attack with explosive innings, putting together an impressive 98 runs in just 5.4 overs.
Bennett scored a brisk 50 off 26 balls, while Marumani dominated the crease with a blistering 62 off just 19 deliveries.
Their aggressive partnership set the tone for Zimbabwe’s record-breaking innings, showcasing their batting prowess and intent from the very start.
Clive Madande maintained the momentum with a rapid unbeaten 53 off just 17 deliveries.
Earlier this month, India came close to surpassing the 300-run mark in the third T20I against Bangladesh, finishing with a score of 297/6. This remarkable total stands as the third-highest team score in T20I history.