Zimbabwe Sets New T20 Record with 344 for 4 Against Gambia

On Wednesday, Zimbabwe made history by posting a staggering 344 for 4, setting the record for the highest total in T20 cricket during the men's T20 World Cup Africa sub-regional qualifier against Gambia. Leading the charge was Sikandar Raza, who scored Zimbabwe's inaugural T20 century in just 33 balls, finishing with an impressive 133 not out, which included a phenomenal 15 sixes. His teammates contributed significantly as well, hitting 12 sixes, pushing the total to 27 and breaking the previous record of 26 sixes in an innings.

Previously, Nepal held the record for the highest T20 total at 314. Zimbabwe's monumental score also marked the largest margin of victory in T20 history, as Gambia was dismissed for a mere 54 runs.

The Ruaraka Sports Club Ground in Nairobi buzzed with excitement as Zimbabwe demonstrated aggressive intent from the outset, reaching 50 runs in just 3.2 overs. Tadiwanashe Marumani achieved his fifty in a lightning-fast 13 balls, while the team brought up the hundred before the end of the powerplay. The innings featured a remarkable 57 boundaries, setting another T20 record, with four Zimbabwean batters scoring over fifty runs—another first. Brian Bennett chipped in with a swift 50 off 26 balls, and Clive Mandande ended the innings with a rapid 53 off just 17 balls, hitting the final delivery for six.