New Delhi: Zimbabwe set a world record for the highest team total in T20Is on Wednesday, scoring 344/4 against Gambia in a group stage match of the T20 World Cup sub-regional Africa qualifier in Nairobi on Wednesday.
Zimbabwe skipper Sikander Raza plundered 15 sixes on way to a 133 not out knock off only 43 deliveries as Zimbabwe went past Nepal’s 314 that they had scored against Mongolia in the Asian Games last year.
Zimbabwe hit 27 sixes and 30 fours in their innings as they mauled the Gambia bowlers with Raza scoring the quickest ton by a batter from a Test-playing nation (joint-second fastest overall), reaching the three figures in only 33 balls.
Zimbabwe’s 57 boundaries is the most by any team in a T20I while the 27 sixes is also the highest by any team, surpassing Nepal’s 26 against Mongolia.
A NEW RECORD 🚨
Zimbabwe put on an exhibition of hitting in the ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup Africa Sub Regional Qualifier B 🙌https://t.co/G01f6R4IEK
— ICC (@ICC) October 23, 2024
Raza overtook South Africa’s David Miller, who had scored his hundred in 35 balls against Bangladesh in 2017. Raza got company from Tadiwanashe Marumani, who bludgeoned 62 from 19 balls to set the tome for the Zimbabwean innings.
All Gambian bowlers suffered with Musa Jobarteh conceding 93 runs in four overs to become the most expensive bowler in T20I history, taking over from Sri Lanka’s Kasun Rajitha, who conceded 75 runs in four overs.
Zimbabwe’s 344 was also the top score in a T20I among all Test playing countries, pushing India’s 297/6 vs Bangladesh in Hyderabad earlier in October to the second spot.
Highest totals in T20Is
Zimbabwe – 344/4 against Gambia in October 2024
Nepal – 314/3 against Mongolia in September 2023
India – 297/6 against Bangladesh in October 2024
Zimbabwe – 286/5 against Seychelles in October 2024
Afghanistan – 278/3 against Ireland in February 2019
Quickest ton in T20Is by a batter from a full-member nation
33 balls – Sikandar Raza vs Gambia, Nairobi, 2024
35 balls – David Miller vs Bangladesh, Potchefstroom, 2017
35 balls – Rohit Sharma vs Sri Lanka, Indore, 2017
39 balls – Johnson Charles vs South Africa, Centurion, 2023
40 balls – Sanju Samson vs Bangladesh, Hyderabad, 2024
