Zimbabwe’s 344 for 4 breaks the record for highest T20 total
Zimbabwe made history on Wednesday by setting a new record for the highest total in T20 cricket, scoring 344 for 4 against Gambia in the men’s T20 World Cup Africa sub-regional qualifier tournament. The star of the show was Sikandar Raza, who smashed Zimbabwe’s first-ever century in the format, reaching 133 not out off just 33 balls. His explosive innings included 15 sixes, helping Zimbabwe break the record for the most sixes in a T20 innings as well, with 27. Previously, Nepal held the record for both the highest total (314) and most sixes (26) in a T20 innings.
At the Ruaraka Sports Club Ground in Nairobi, Zimbabwe’s aggressive approach was clear from the start. Tadiwanashe Marumani brought up his fifty in just 13 balls, and the team crossed 100 runs before the powerplay ended. Zimbabwe’s innings featured four half-century scores, another record, with Brian Bennett (50 off 26) and Clive Mandande (53 off 17) also contributing. Raza’s stunning knock equalled Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton’s 33-ball century for Namibia earlier this year, making it the second-fastest century in T20I history.
In reply, Gambia struggled significantly and were bowled out for just 54, giving Zimbabwe the largest victory margin in T20 history, by 290 runs. Musa Jorbateh, Gambia’s bowler, also set an unwanted record, conceding 93 runs in his four overs—the most runs given by a bowler in a T20 match.
Zimbabwe’s dominant performance continues their perfect run in the qualifier, while Gambia is still searching for their first win after a tough tournament start.