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Zimbabwe achieved a historic feat in the T20 World Cup qualifier on October 24, 2024, by smashing a world-record score of 344-4 against Gambia. This remarkable achievement surpassed the previous highest score of 314-3 set by Nepal against Mongolia in 2023, according to the International Cricket Council (ICC). The match took place at the Ruaraka Sports Club Ground in Nairobi, Kenya, as part of the African sub-regional qualifier.
The driving force behind Zimbabwe's record-breaking innings was the exceptional performance of Sikandar Raza. He delivered an explosive knock of 133 not out off a mere 43 balls, peppering the boundary with an astounding 15 sixes. This century marked the first by a Zimbabwean player in men's T20Is, surpassing Dion Myers' previous highest score of 96 against Rwanda. Moreover, Raza's 15 sixes secured him a place among the joint-fourth highest six-hitters in men's T20Is.
Zimbabwe's remarkable innings featured a total of 27 sixes, surpassing the previous record of 26 sixes hit by Nepal against Mongolia during their 314/3 innings in 2023. This record-breaking performance showcased the team's incredible power hitting and aggressive approach to the game. The victory against Gambia not only cemented Zimbabwe's position as a formidable force in the T20 format but also showcased the team's potential to achieve greater heights in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
The Zimbabwean team has demonstrated a significant rise in their T20 performance in recent times. Earlier in the month, they entered the top five in the T20 rankings after scoring 286/5 against Seychelles. This followed a week after India made the list with their massive total of 297/6 against Bangladesh. The remarkable performance of Sikandar Raza and the overall team effort in the match against Gambia have firmly established Zimbabwe as a force to be reckoned with in the world of T20 cricket.
Source: Zimbabwe hits 344 to set world record T20 score in win over Gambia