source : BCCI
In an extraordinary display of power hitting, Zimbabwe set a new world record for the highest total in T20 international cricket, smashing 344 for 4 against Gambia in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa sub-regional qualifier. This remarkable feat, achieved in October 2024 at the Ruaraka Sports Club Ground in Nairobi, has etched Zimbabwe’s name into the history books.
Sikandar Raza’s Century Leads the Charge
The star of the show was all-rounder Sikandar Raza, who blasted his way to a 33-ball century, the fastest by any player from a Test-playing nation. Raza’s unbeaten knock of 133 included 15 towering sixes and 7 fours, propelling Zimbabwe to an unforgettable total. His century came in just 33 balls, equaling Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton’s record for Namibia.
Boundary Bonanza and Records Broken
Zimbabwe’s batting was relentless, bringing up their fifty in just 3.2 overs, and crossing the hundred mark before the powerplay was over. The team hit a jaw-dropping 27 sixes during the innings, setting another world record for the most sixes in a T20I innings. Alongside Raza, quickfire fifties from Tadiwanashe Marumani (62 off 19 balls), Brian Bennett (50 off 26), and Clive Madande (53 off 17) added to the destruction.
High Scores in T20 Cricket
- Zimbabwe – 344/4 vs Gambia (2024)
- Nepal – 314/3 vs Mongolia (2023)
- India – 297/6 vs Bangladesh (2024)
Fastest T20I Centuries
- Sikandar Raza – 33 balls vs Gambia (2024)
- David Miller – 35 balls vs Bangladesh (2017)
- Rohit Sharma – 35 balls vs Sri Lanka (2017)
- Johnson Charles – 39 balls vs South Africa (2023)
- Sanju Samson – 40 balls vs Bangladesh (2023)
Most Sixes in a T20I Innings
- Sahil Chauhan – 18 sixes vs Cyprus (2024)
- Sikandar Raza – 15 sixes vs Gambia (2024)
- Zeeshan Kukikhel – 15 sixes vs Austria (2022)
Gambia’s Struggles
In response, Gambia had no answer to Zimbabwe’s imposing total and were bowled out for a mere 54. Zimbabwe’s dominant performance not only secured them the biggest-ever victory in T20Is (by 290 runs) but also ensured their place in the Africa qualifiers for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
