Records tumble as Zimbabwe obliterates Gambia; scores world's highest T20I total

ASHLEY DUBE

Zimbabwe: 344/4 in 20 overs (Sikandar Raza 133*, Tadiwanashe Marumani 62; Andreh Jarju 2/53)

Gambia: 54 all out in 14.4 overs (Ismaila Tamba 12*; Richard Ngarava 3/13, Brandon Mavuta 3/10)

Result: Zimbabwe won by 290 runs

Zimbabwe tore up the record books in their 290-run demolition of The Gambia in an ICC T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier B match at the Ruaraka Sports Club Ground in Nairobi. The Chevrons posted a massive total of 344/4 in their 20 overs, spearheaded by a breathtaking century from captain Sikandar Raza, before restricting Gambia to just 54/9 in 14.4 overs.

Zimbabwe beats Gambia in ICC Men's T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier B

Image: ICC Africa

Raza powered the Zimbabwe innings with a blistering 133 not out from just 43 balls, featuring 7 fours and 15 sixes. He became the first ever Zimbabwean to reach three figures in a T20 international, smashing the second-fastest T20I century in the process.

Tadiwanashe Marumani gave the team a rapid start with 62 off 19 balls, which is the third-fastest T20I half-century, while Clive Madande added a fiery 53 off 17 ball at the back end of Zimbabwe batting innings.

Brian Bennett also scored a half-century with 50 off 26 balls as Zimbabwe punished Gambia’s bowlers, none of whom were spared from the onslaught.

Musa Jobarteh enduring the most punishment, conceding 93 runs from his 4 overs, the most runs conceded by a bowler in a T20 International. Andreh Jarju claimed 2 wickets for 53 runs, but Gambia had no answers to Zimbabwe’s powerful batting.

Chasing 345, Gambia's batting collapsed under the pressure of Zimbabwe’s disciplined bowling. Richard Ngarava and Brandon Mavuta each picked up 3 wickets, while Wessly Madhevere added 2 for 7.

Only captain Ismaila Tamba (12*) and a few others reached double figures as Gambia crumbled to 54/9, failing to even play out their 20 overs.

The Chevrons' victory set numerous records including: the highest ever score in a T20 international (344/4), the highest victory by runs (290), most sixes by a team in a T20 international (27), most boundaries by a team in a T20 international (57), and most 50-plus scores in a T20 international (4).