Records are meant to be broken, and one prime example is the whole cricket world in the ICC Mens T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier Group B, 2024, when Zimbabwe took on Gambia at the Ruaraka Sports Club Ground, Nairobi. It was the 12th game, and Zimbabwe went on to break all the batting records in this clash and register the highest ever total in the history of T20 internationals.
Batting first, Zimbabwe became only the second team to cross the 300-run mark in the T20 internationals. Zimbabwe posted a mamoth total of 344/4 in 20 overs. It is now the highest total by a test-playing nation in T20I history. It came after some blistering batting performances by Zimbabwe, and the captain, Sikandar Raza, went on to slam an electrifying century and helped his team register their name in the record books.
Zimbabwe registered the highest T20I total by a test-playing nation.
The carnage began with Zimbabwe winning the toss and deciding to bat first. Both openers gave them a blistering start and added 98 runs in just 5.4 overs. Brian Bennett scored 50 off 26 balls, with seven fours and one six, while Tadiwanashe Marumani scored 62 off just 19 balls, with nine fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 326.32.
It was followed by some exceptional hitting by captain Sikandar Raza. He went on to slam a century and made 133 out of just 43 balls, including seven fours and 15 sixes. Zimbabwe finished with 344/4 in the first inning, going past Nepal’s record of 314/3, which they made in 2023 against Mongolia. With this, Zimbabwe now hold the record for the highest T20I total in history.
Zimbabwe – 344/4 vs. Gambia in October 2024
Nepal – 314/3 vs. Mongolia in September 2023
India – 297/6 vs. Bangladesh in October 2024
Zimbabwe – 286/5 vs. Seychelles in October 2024
Afghanistan – 278/3 vs. Ireland in February 2019
Raza’s 15 sixes is now a record by a batter from a test-playing nation in an inning. Zimbabwe hit a total of 27 sixes in their innings, which is a new world record now. Nepal hit 26 in their 314-run innings against Mongolia. The late finish to the total was provided by Clive Madande, who scored an unbeaten 53 off 17 balls with five sixes and three fours.
Notably, Zimbabwe are competing in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier Group B, 2024. They scored 286/5 against Seychelles a few days ago. Now, they have scored two out of the top five T20I totals in history.
As an enthusiastic cricket fan, I relish watching matches from around the globe. Since childhood, I've admired the gentleman's game and aspired to pursue a career in the sports industry. A hardcore Virat Kohli fan, I'm dedicated to crafting engaging and concise cricket articles.
