Zimbabwe batters smash multiple T20I records in historic performance

Sikandar Raza smashed an unbeaten 133 in 43 balls as Zimbabwe set a record innings score of 344 for four in their T20 World Cup sub regional Africa qualifier against The Gambia on Wednesday at the Ruaraka Sports Club Ground in Nairobi.

Raza scored his century in just 33 balls, becoming the first Zimbabwean to achieve a hundred in an international match in this format. His century was also the second-fastest in T20I history, matching Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton's effort for Namibia against Nepal in February 2024.

The record for the fastest century belongs to Estonia's Sahil Chauhan, who reached the milestone in just 27 balls.

Records galore

Raza launched 15 sixes in Nairobi to score his maiden T20 International (T20I) century and take Zimbabwe to a new highest total in 20 overs, beating the previous best mark of 314 for three by Nepal against Mongolia last year.

They bowled The Gambia out for 54 in 14.4 overs, earning victory by 290 runs, again eclipsing the previous record winning margin of 273 by Nepal against Mongolia.

Zimbabwe batters smashed 27 sixes in the record-breaking innings, the most recorded ever in a men's T20I, beating the 26 made by Nepal against Mongolia during their innings of 314/3 last year.

Openers Brian Bennett (50) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (62) put on 98 for the first wicket from 34 balls, before Raza and Clive Madande (53 not out) smashed an unbeaten 141 in 40 deliveries for the fifth wicket.

There were 57 boundaries in the innings overall - which is also a T20 record - with four Zimbabwe batters contributing fifty-plus scores - another record.

No bowler was spared, but seamer Musa Jobarteh conceded 93 from his four overs, an unwanted T20 record. The previous worst figures were 0-82 in four overs by legbreak bowler Matthew McKiernan for Derbyshire against Somerset in 2022.

Zimbabwe are hoping to advance to the next stage of Africa qualifying for the 2026 T20 World Cup that is to be held in India and Sri Lanka.