Zimbabwe secured a world record for the highest score in men’s T20 cricket by posting 344-4 against The Gambia, winning by 290 runs. Sikandar Raza scored an unbeaten 133 runs from 43 balls, with significant contributions from Tadiwanashe Marumani, Clive Madande, and Brian Bennett. Zimbabwe advances to the final qualifying round for the 2026 World Cup.
Zimbabwe achieved a historic milestone in T20 cricket by setting a new world record for the highest score in men’s T20 international matches during their qualifying match against The Gambia. The match took place in Nairobi, Kenya, as part of the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Africa Qualifier. Zimbabwe scored an impressive 344 runs for the loss of four wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Sikandar Raza played a standout role, amassing an unbeaten 133 runs off just 43 deliveries, contributing significantly to this record-breaking performance. The Gambia struggled in their innings, being bowled out for a mere 54 runs in just 14.4 overs, culminating in a comprehensive victory for Zimbabwe by 290 runs. This match marked a significant improvement for Zimbabwe, surpassing the previous world record of 314 runs for three wickets established by Nepal against Mongolia the previous year in Hangzhou, China. Raza’s innings was noteworthy not only for its phenomenal run rate but also for his remarkable achievement of reaching a century in just 33 balls, tying him with Namibia’s Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton for the second-fastest T20I century. The fastest century record remains held by Sahil Chauhan of Estonia, who made a hundred off just 27 balls. In addition to Raza’s exploits, Tadiwanashe Marumani scored 62 runs off 19 balls, Clive Madande contributed 53 runs not out from 17 balls, and Brian Bennett scored 50 runs off 26 balls. On the bowling front, Brandon Mavuta and Richard Ngarava each claimed three wickets, with Mavuta recording figures of 3 for 10. This decisive victory ensures that Zimbabwe progresses to the final qualifying round for the 2026 World Cup, alongside other advancing teams, including Namibia, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, and Kenya.
The match between Zimbabwe and The Gambia took place as part of the qualification process for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup. Historically, Zimbabwe has participated in various international cricket tournaments, and this match serves to bolster their credentials on the world stage. The T20 format has become increasingly popular due to its fast-paced nature, with partnerships playing a critical role in achieving high scores. Zimbabwe’s performance in this match underlined their capability in this format, setting a benchmark in T20 cricket.
In summary, Zimbabwe’s spectacular achievement of scoring 344 runs in their T20 match against The Gambia sets a new world record for the highest score in men’s T20 international cricket. Sikandar Raza’s standout performance, coupled with strong contributions from his teammates, highlights the team’s readiness for the upcoming challenges in the World Cup qualifiers. Their progression to the final round reinforces Zimbabwe’s position in International cricket.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
