By Takudziridzwa Nyama
In a stunning display of batting prowess, Zimbabwe achieved an astonishing 344 runs for 4 wickets in just 20 overs, setting a new record for the highest total in T20 Internationals during the T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier Group B match against Gambia. The match took place at the Ruaraka Sports Club Ground in Nairobi on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
Zimbabwe’s captain, Sikandar Raza, was the star of the show, scoring an incredible 133 runs off just 43 balls.
Raza’s explosive innings featured 15 sixes, significantly contributing to the team’s record-breaking total.
He was well-supported by Clive Mandande, who added 53 runs off 17 balls, and Brian Bennett, who scored 50 runs off 26 deliveries. Tadiwanashe Marumani also made a mark, reaching his half-century in a blistering 13 balls. Ryan Burl and Dion Myers chipped in with 25 runs off 11 balls and 12 runs off 5 balls, respectively.
With this performance, Zimbabwe not only shattered the previous record for the highest total by a Test nation in T20 cricket but also set a new record for the most sixes in an innings, with a total of 27 sixes.
This feat eclipsed the previous records held by Nepal, who had set the benchmark at 314 runs and 26 sixes in recent years.
In stark contrast, Gambia struggled to cope with Zimbabwe’s relentless batting. The team was bowled out for a mere 54 runs, marking a significant defeat of 290 runs, the largest margin in T20 cricket history.
Gambia’s Musa Jorbateh had a particularly tough outing, conceding the most runs by a bowler in T20 history with 93 runs in four overs. He was one of five bowlers who conceded over 50 runs during the innings.
Gambia, the smallest country in continental Africa, continues to search for its first win in the Africa sub-regional qualifier, having given walkovers to their opponents Rwanda and Seychelles in their first two matches.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe maintains an impressive record, securing four victories from four games, solidifying their status as a formidable contender in the tournament.
This historic match not only highlights Zimbabwe’s cricketing excellence but also sets a new standard in T20 cricket, promising an exciting future for the sport in the region.