(Sikandar Raza: Photo credit: ICC Africa)
NEW DELHI: Skipper Sikandar Raza smashed the joint second-fastest T20I century as Zimbabwe hammered by Gambia by a record 290 runs in the
T20 World Cup
sub-regional Africa qualifier match on Wednesday.
Delivering a stunning performance, Raza smoked an unbeaten 133 off just 43 balls, powering Zimbabwe to an unprecedented 344 for four.
The match set several records, including in the biggest win in T20 cricket history -- 290 runs.
Launching 15 sixes, Raza hit his first T20I century and guided Zimbabwe to surpass Nepal's previous T20 highest score of 314 for three against Mongolia last year during the Asian Games.
Zimbabwe then dismantled Gambia's batting lineup, shooting them out for 54 in 14.4 overs. The victory beat the previous record-winning margin of 273 runs set by Nepal against Mongolia.
The team also set a new record for sixes in an innings with 27, narrowly surpassing Nepal's 26.
Raza's century came off just 33 balls, marking him as the first Zimbabwean player to score a ton in the format.
Openers Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani contributed significantly, scoring 50 and 62 respectively and putting on a 98-run partnership from 34 balls for the first wicket.
Raza, along with Clive Madande, who remained unbeaten on 53, added an unbeaten 141 runs off 40 balls for the fifth wicket.
No bowler from Gambia was spared, with seamer Musa Jobarteh conceding 93 runs in his four overs, marking an unwanted T20 record. The previous worst figures were by Matthew McKiernan for Derbyshire, conceding 82 in four overs against Somerset in 2022.
Earlier in the day, Canterbury opener Chad Bowes broke the record for the fastest double century in men's List A matches, reaching the milestone in 103 balls against Otago.
Zimbabwe look forward to advancing in the Africa qualifying stages for the 2026 T20 World Cup, set to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
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