Zimbabwe smash world record T20 total of 344; Sikandar Raza hammers 33-ball ton in T20 World Cup Africa Sub Regional Qualifiers 2024/25

Led by Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe, smashed their way into the record books, scoring the highest-ever T20 total of 344 against Gambia in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier tournament on Wednesday, October 23. Zimbabwe finished at 344/4 in their stipulated 20 overs, with Raza leading the way with a jaw-dropping 133 off only 43 deliveries.

After electing to bat first, openers Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani blazed away, stitching a 98-run stand in 5.4 overs. Marumani was the first to fall, perishing for 62 off 19 deliveries.

Dion Myers lasted only five deliveries, scoring 12 runs with a six and a four. Bennett was the next to go, departing soon after scoring a 26-ball 50, laced with seven fours and a maximum.

Raza, meanwhile, was on fire, as the spin-bowling all-rounder got to his maiden T20I ton off only 33 balls. His knock comprised 15 sixes and seven fours, with the team's run-rate standing at a mind-boggling 17.2. In the process, Raza also became the first Zimbabwe batter to score a T20I hundred and went past Myers' highest score of 96. Clive Madande also stayed unbeaten at 53 off only 17 balls.

All Gambia bowlers went at well over ten per over, with Musa Jorbateh going for an eye-watering 4-0-93-0. Andreh Jarju was the pick of their bowlers with figures of 4-0-53-2.

Zimbabwe beat Nepal's record for the highest total in T20 cricket

In the process, Zimbabwe created the record of the highest-ever T20 total, previously held by Nepal, who hammered 314/3 against Mongolia during the Asian Games last year. Sunrisers Hyderabad are third on the list for scoring 287/6 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2024.

The African side are currently second in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier tournament's points table with three wins out of three.

They had defeated Rwanda in their previous game by 149 runs after amassing 240/8 in 20 overs and bowling the opposition out for 91.