On October 23, 2024, the Zimbabwe Cricket Team set a new T20I world record of 344 runs against Gambia during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Africa Qualifier. Sikandar Raza was instrumental with 133 runs off 43 balls, achieving the fastest T20I century for a Test-playing nation. Zimbabwe won the match by 290 runs, dismissing Gambia for 54 runs.
The Zimbabwe Cricket Team achieved a monumental feat by setting a new world record for the highest total in T20 Internationals, scoring an astonishing 344 runs for 4 wickets against Gambia during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Africa Qualifier Group B match. The Zimbabweans dominated the game, ultimately dismissing Gambia for a mere 54 runs, thus securing victory by a staggering 290 runs. Central to this unprecedented accomplishment was Sikandar Raza, who was named Player of the Match for his explosive innings of 133 runs from just 43 balls. Raza’s remarkable performance included seven fours and an impressive 15 sixes, allowing him to reach his century in just 33 balls, thereby eclipsing Rohit Sharma’s previous record for the fastest T20I century by a player from a Test-playing nation. He was well-supported by Tadiwanashe Marumani, who contributed 62 runs off 19 balls, and Clive Madande, who finished with an unbeaten 53 runs from 17 deliveries. In contrast, Gambia struggled significantly, with Andre Jarju being the only player to reach double figures, finishing with 12 runs. Frank Campbell and Asim Ashraf added seven runs each to their total. With the ball, Zimbabwe’s Brandon Mavuta and Richard Ngarava showcased their bowling prowess, each taking three wickets while conceding minimal runs, Mavuta with figures of 3 wickets for 10 runs and Ngarava with 3 for 13. This achievement not only highlighted the capabilities of the Zimbabwean cricket team but also set a new benchmark in T20 cricket, surpassing the previous record of 314 runs scored by Nepal against Mongolia at the Asian Games in 2023.
The world of T20 cricket is continually evolving, with records often set and reset as teams push the boundaries of performance. Zimbabwe’s record-breaking score signifies their emerging dominance in the shorter format of the game and showcases the explosive batting potential inherent in their squad. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional qualifiers are pivotal opportunities for teams to gain recognition and experience, making this achievement particularly significant for Zimbabwe’s cricketing future.
In summation, Zimbabwe’s extraordinary performance against Gambia not only established a new world record for T20 International cricket with a score of 344 runs but also demonstrated the caliber of their players, particularly Sikandar Raza, whose record-breaking century was a highlight of the match. The emphatic win by 290 runs further emphasizes Zimbabwe’s potential and promises an exciting future in international cricket.
Original Source: indianexpress.com
