Zimbabwe Sets New T20 Record with 344 for 4 Against Gambia
Zimbabwe made history by scoring a record 344 runs for 4 wickets in a T20 match against Gambia, led by Sikandar Raza’s unbeaten century off only 33 balls, marking Zimbabwe’s first T20I century. The performance included a total of 57 boundaries and established new records for the most runs and sixes in T20 cricket.
In a remarkable display of power-hitting, Zimbabwe set a new record for the highest total ever scored in T20 cricket, amassing an astonishing 344 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in their matchup against Gambia during the men’s T20 World Cup Africa sub-regional qualifier tournament. This feat was highlighted by Sikandar Raza, who became the first cricketer from Zimbabwe to score a century in T20 International cricket, achieving the milestone in just 33 balls. Raza concluded the innings unbeaten at 133 runs, striking 15 sixes, while his teammates collectively hit another 12 sixes, contributing to the previously held record of 314 runs by Nepal for highest total and 26 sixes in an innings. The historic innings took place at the Ruaraka Sports Club Ground in Nairobi, with Zimbabwe racing to their first 50 runs in a mere 3.2 overs. Tadiwanashe Marumani was particularly impressive, reaching his fifty in just 13 balls. By the end of the powerplay, Zimbabwe’s score had soared past the century mark, leading to an intriguing display of aggressive batting. The innings featured a total of 57 boundaries, establishing another T20 record, and four players from the Zimbabwe squad achieved half-centuries, a feat that had never been accomplished before in an individual T20 innings. Raza’s exceptional innings not only showcased his talent but also marked him as the holder of the second-fastest century in T20I history, a record he now shares with Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, who previously reached his century in the same number of balls. In stark contrast, Gambia’s bowling attack struggled significantly, with Musa Jorbateh recording the worst figures in T20 history, conceding 93 runs in four overs. Gambia’s efforts were undermined further as the team continued to seek its first victory in the Africa sub-regional qualifiers, having already forfeited their matches against Rwanda and Seychelles, while Zimbabwe triumphed in all three of their fixtures thus far.
The remarkable performance by Zimbabwe in the men’s T20 World Cup Africa sub-regional qualifiers, culminating in their world record total of 344 for 4 runs, emphasizes the evolution of the T20 format where aggressive batting strategies are increasingly becoming the norm. The achievement highlights not only Zimbabwe’s cricketing talent but also marks a significant milestone in their cricketing history as Sikandar Raza, dominating the innings, became the nation’s first T20I centurion. This performance is particularly noteworthy within the context of international cricket, where records are frequently challenged and surpassed, exemplifying the competitive nature of the sport.
In conclusion, Zimbabwe’s achievement of a new record T20 total of 344 runs reinforces their growing prominence in international cricket, particularly through the extraordinary batting performance of Sikandar Raza, who became the first from Zimbabwe to score a T20I century. This match not only sets a new benchmark in T20 scores but also significantly highlights the challenges that emerging teams like Gambia face in the competitive landscape of international cricket. The series of records established during this match demonstrates the thrilling prospects that come with this evolving format of the game.
Original Source: www.espncricinfo.com
