Zimbabwe made history on Wednesday by setting a new record for the highest total in T20 cricket, amassing 344 for 4 against Gambia during the men’s T20 World Cup Africa sub-regional qualifier. Sikandar Raza was the standout performer, becoming the first player from Zimbabwe to score a century in T20 internationals, achieving this milestone in just 33 balls. Raza finished the innings unbeaten at 133, hitting an astounding 15 sixes. His teammates contributed with 12 more sixes, helping to establish both the record for the highest team total and the most sixes hit in a T20 innings.
Previously, Nepal held the record for the highest total at 314 runs and for the most sixes in an innings at 26. In response, Gambia struggled significantly and was bowled out for a mere 54 runs, leading to Zimbabwe’s record for the largest margin of victory in T20 history.
The match took place at the Ruaraka Sports Club Ground in Nairobi, where Zimbabwe displayed aggressive intent right from the outset. They reached 50 runs in just 3.2 overs, with Tadiwanashe Marumani smashing his fifty in only 13 balls. The team reached the century mark before the end of the powerplay, embarking on a relentless assault on the Gambia bowlers. Zimbabwe’s innings included a staggering 57 boundaries, a new T20 record, and featured four players scoring more than fifty runs—another milestone.
Raza’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. He came to the crease at the end of the seventh over, after fielding restrictions were lifted, and quickly asserted his dominance by hitting a six off just his third ball. With his brilliant scoring, he tied the record set by Namibia’s Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton against Nepal earlier this year, earning him the second-fastest century in T20I history.
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The tyrannical assault was difficult for Gambia, the smallest nation in continental Africa, to control. With 93 runs given up in his four overs, bowler Musa Jorbateh set the most costly bowling figures in T20 history. During the innings, he was one of five bowlers who each conceded more than fifty runs. After easily defeating Rwanda and the Seychelles in the past, Gambia is still seeking their first win in the Africa sub-regional qualifiers, while Zimbabwe celebrated their third consecutive tournament victory.
