Zimbabwe smash highest total in Men’s T20Is

NAIROBI: All-rounder Sikandar Raza scored a swashbuckling century and muscled Zimbabwe to the highest total in Men’s T20Is.

Zimbabwe piled up a mammoth 344/4 in 20 overs in the T20 World Cup Africa Sub Regional Qualifiers’ fixture against Gambia at Ruaraka Sports Club Ground here on Wednesday.

Previously, the record was held by Nepal, who smashed 314/6 against Mongolia in the opening game of the Asian Games 2023.

Earlier this month, reigning champions India recorded the highest total by a full-member team in Men’s ODIs when they accumulated 297/6 in the third T20I against Bangladesh.

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However, Zimbabwe’s 344/4 has now put them above all, courtesy of their full-member status.

Notably, the Sikandar Raza-led side registered another massive total in the ongoing T20 World Cup Africa Sub Regional Qualifiers when they scored 286/5 against Seychelles on October 19.

Highest Total in Men’s T20Is

Zimbabwe: 344/4 against Gambia, 2024
Nepal: 314/4 against Mongolia, 2023
India: 297/6 against Bangladesh, 2024
Zimbabwe: 286 against Seychelles, 2024
Afghanistan: 278/3 against Ireland, 2019

Playing their fourth match of the regional qualifiers, Sikandar Raza’s 33-ball century, coupled with blistering half-centuries from Biran Bennet, Tadiwanashe Marumani and Clive Madande powered Zimbabwe to the highest total in Men’s T20Is.

Raza top-scored with an unbeaten 133 off just 43 deliveries, peppered with 15 sixes and seven fours. He was involved in an unbeaten 141-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Madande, who chipped in with a 17-ball 53.

Earlier, openers Bennett and Marumani gave Zimbabwe a flamboyant start with a quickfire 98-run partnership, which culminated inside the batting powerplay with Marumani’s dismissal.

Marumani scored a 26-ball 50, while Marumani made 62 off 19 deliveries with the help of nine fours and four sixes.

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