Sikandar Raza breaks Rohit Sharma’s record as Zimbabwe amass 344 runs in T20I game against Gambia

Zimbabwe cricket team were in a punishing mood during the ICC T20 World Cup qualifying game against Gambia. Skipper Sikandar Raza scored the fastest T20I century during the game. The veteran star reached his century in a mere 33 balls and broke the 7-year-old record held by Rohit Sharma. 

India’s star batter had scored a century in just 35 balls in 2017 during the T20I game against Sri Lanka in Indore. David Miller also scored a T20I ton in 35 balls in 2017 against Bangladesh. Raza got to his century with a huge six after ending the 17th over on 97 runs from 32 balls. 

Zimbabwe also set the record for the highest score by a Test-playing nation in T20I Cricket. The score of 344/4 from their 20 went past the 297 scored by India against Bangladesh in Hyderabad recently. India though got his record against a fellow Test-playing nation. 

Zimbabwe run riot against Zambia with the bat and ball

It was Sikandar Raza who won the toss and chose to bat first against Zambia. The opening pair of Brian Bennett and Marumani added 98 runs for the opening wicket in just 5.4 overs. Marumani was the first man to be dismissed for 62 off 19 balls with 8 fours and 4 sixes. Bennett scored 50 off 26 balls with the help of 7 fours and a six. 

Dion Myers scored a quick 12 off 5 balls before he was dismissed by Arjun Singh Rajpurohit. Ryan Burl swung his bat around to score 25 off 11 balls with 3 fours and a six. When the wicket of Ryan Burl fell the score read 203/4 in 13.2 overs. 

Sikandar Raza and Clive Madande then added 141 unbeaten runs for the 5th wicket in a mere 40 balls. By the end of the innings, Raza had scored 133 not out from 43 balls with 7 fours and 15 sixes. Madande on the other hand was not out on 53 off 17 balls with 3 fours and 5 sixes. 

Zambia were reduced to 54/9 in the 15th over with Richard Ngarava and Brandon Mavuta picking 3 wickets each. Barring Andre Jarju none of the other batters managed to reach double figures for Zambia who were staring at an heavy loss.