Zimbabwe shattered the T20I record by scoring 344 runs for 4 wickets against Gambia in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier B, surpassing the previous record of 314 runs. Sikandar Raza led the effort with an unbeaten 133 runs from 43 balls, marking a milestone for Zimbabwean cricket.
Nairobi witnessed a historic moment in the world of cricket as Zimbabwe achieved a remarkable feat by scoring 344 runs for the loss of four wickets in their match against Gambia during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier B. This performance marks the highest score recorded in T20 International matches to date. Sikandar Raza was the standout player of the match, remaining unbeaten on 133 runs from just 43 deliveries, which included an astounding 15 sixes. Zimbabwe’s total of 344/4 not only set a new T20I record but also eclipsed the previous record of 314/3 set by Nepal against Mongolia in 2023. The Zimbabwean team emerged victorious by a staggering margin of 290 runs, as Gambia was bowled out for a mere 54 runs within 14.4 overs while attempting to chase the unprecedented total. This decisive win further solidifies Zimbabwe’s position in international cricket, having only recently achieved a score of 286/5 against Seychelles earlier this month, which placed them within the top five scores in T20I history. Prior to Zimbabwe’s achievement, India had recorded a notable score of 297/6 against Bangladesh. Raza’s innings not only stands as a personal milestone but also marks a significant achievement within Zimbabwean cricket, as it represents the first century by a Zimbabwean player in men’s T20Is. Previously, Dion Myers held the record for the team with a score of 96 against Rwanda. Additionally, Raza’s 15 sixes rank among the joint-fourth most in men’s T20I matches. The innings by Zimbabwe included a total of 27 sixes, the highest number ever recorded in a men’s T20I, surpassing the previous record of 26 sixes set by Nepal in their 314/3 innings last year.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier B serves as a crucial tournament for teams aiming to progress in the T20 World Cup framework. Zimbabwe’s recent performance highlights their growing prowess in the T20 format. Zimbabwe has been demonstrating significant improvement, as evidenced by their climbing rankings and record-breaking performances. The sequence of matches leading up to this historic innings underscores the competitive nature of T20 cricket in Africa and the evolving capabilities of teams like Zimbabwe. Records in this format are often broken frequently, reflecting the dynamic nature of the game.
In conclusion, Zimbabwe’s historic score of 344/4 against Gambia not only sets a new benchmark in T20 Internationals but also showcases the talents emerging from their cricketing ranks, particularly that of Sikandar Raza. This remarkable achievement reiterates the potential within the Zimbabwean team and their capacity to excel on an international platform. With this victory, Zimbabwe has certainly established itself as a formidable competitor in the T20 format, leaving a significant mark in the cricketing landscape.
Original Source: gulfnews.com
