Zimbabwe Crushes Gambia with Record-Breaking T20I Score of 344/4: Zimbabwe Crushes Gambia with Record-Breaking T20I Score of 344/4In a historic game of T20 cricket, Zimbabwe smashed a world record by scoring a mammoth 344/4 in a T20I match against Gambia.
This feat occurred during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier. Led by Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe played a Group B match against Gambia. Full of intent and energy, the team dominated right from the start and set multiple records on their way to achieving this stunning total.
Let’s break down how this match unfolded and why it became a monumental moment in cricket history.
Zimbabwe Set New T20 World Record in Gambia Win
Zimbabwe came into this match as clear favorites. They had performed well in the qualifier tournament. Their skills and experience should give them an edge over Gambia. However, no one could have predicted the extent of their dominance.
Right from the first ball, Zimbabwe’s intent was clear—they were here to make a statement. The Ruaraka Sports Club Ground in Nairobi witnessed history as Zimbabwe’s batsmen took charge. Opener Tadiwanashe Marumani was the initial spark for Zimbabwe.
He tore into the Gambian bowlers. In just 19 balls, Marumani scored a blistering 62 runs at a striking rate of 326.31. He led the charge at the beginning of the innings, helping Zimbabwe reach 50 runs in just 3.2 overs.
Marumani’s explosive start set the tone for the rest of the innings. By the time Zimbabwe reached the end of the powerplay, they had already posted over 100 runs. The Gambian bowlers were under pressure, and the Zimbabwean batsmen showed no mercy.
Four of Zimbabwe’s batsmen went on to score fifty-plus runs, another record for T20 internationals. The boundaries just kept coming. By the end, Zimbabwe had hit 57, including 27 sixes. They set a T20 record for most boundaries in an innings.
The Star of the Show Sikandar Raza
While Zimbabwe’s openers set the stage, it was their captain, Sikandar Raza, who stole the spotlight. Raza came in to bat after the fielding restrictions had been lifted, but that didn’t slow him down at all. He wasted no time. He hit his third ball for six.
He kept up his aggressive approach throughout the innings. Raza went on to score an unbeaten 133 runs off just 43 balls, including 7 boundaries and 15 sixes. His strike rate of 309.30 showed just how dominating his performance was.
Raza’s century came off just 33 balls, making it the second-fastest century in T20I cricket, tying with Namibia’s Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton. Raza’s remarkable innings were not only a personal milestone but also a crucial part of Zimbabwe’s record-breaking total.
His innings included hitting massive sixes and bringing the crowd to their feet. Raza’s leadership and form were key to Zimbabwe’s success in this match.
A Historic Total: 344/4
By the time the innings ended, Zimbabwe had posted a jaw-dropping total of 344/4, shattering the previous record for the highest T20 total. The previous record was held by Nepal, who had scored 314/3 against Mongolia in 2023. Zimbabwe not only broke this record but also set a new benchmark for T20 cricket.
The 344 runs came in just 120 balls, meaning Zimbabwe scored at an average of 17.2 runs per over. Of those 344 runs, 282 came solely from boundaries—30 fours and 27 sixes. It was an innings full of power, aggression, and clinical execution.
Several other records were also broken during this incredible display of batting. Brian Bennett made 50 off 26 balls. Clive Mandande’s 53 off 17 balls added more firepower to Zimbabwe’s total. Zimbabwe’s 344/4 is now the highest T20I total. Nepal’s 314/3 and India’s 297/6 against Bangladesh in 2024 are lower.
Gambia’s Struggles: A Tough Outing
Gambia, a small West African nation, faced a daunting challenge from the very start of the game. Their bowlers found it impossible to contain Zimbabwe’s powerful batting lineup. One of the most unfortunate performances came from Gambian bowler Musa Jorbateh.
He conceded 93 runs in his four-over spell. That is the most runs ever conceded by a bowler in a T20 match. Gambia’s struggles continued when it was their turn to bat. Faced with a massive target of 345 runs, they found themselves under immense pressure right from the beginning.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers, boosted by their batsmen, bowled with discipline. This made it hard for Gambia to gain momentum. Gambia’s batsmen could only manage a total of 54 runs before being bowled out. Zimbabwe’s bowlers tore through the Gambian lineup, securing one of the most one-sided victories in T20I history.
This 290-run win also set a new record for the biggest margin of victory in T20Is, another feather in Zimbabwe’s cap.
A Game of Records: The Aftermath
This match will be remembered for the sheer number of records that were broken. Zimbabwe’s 344/4 became the highest team total in T20 internationals, beating Nepal’s 314/3. The 27 sixes hit by Zimbabwe also broke the record for the most sixes in an innings, previously held by Nepal.
Additionally, Zimbabwe’s victory margin of 290 runs became the largest ever in T20Is. Here’s a full list of the highest team totals in T20Is after Zimbabwe’s historic performance:
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Zimbabwe 344/4 vs Gambia – 2024
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Nepal 314/3 vs Mongolia – 2023
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India 297/6 vs Bangladesh – 2024
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Afghanistan 278/3 vs Ireland – 2019
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Czech Republic 278/4 vs Turkey – 2019
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Malaysia 268/4 vs Thailand – 2023
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England 267/3 vs West Indies – 2023
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Australia 263/3 vs Sri Lanka – 2016
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Sri Lanka 260/6 vs Kenya – 2007
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India 260/5 vs Sri Lanka – 2017
The Impact on African Cricket
Zimbabwe’s performance in this match was a significant moment not just for them, but for African cricket as a whole. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier is vital for smaller African cricket nations. It gives them a chance to compete globally.
For Zimbabwe, this win reaffirmed their status as one of the top cricketing nations in Africa. For Gambia, the result was tough. But, their participation in the qualifier is a key step in their cricketing development.
Conclusion
The Zimbabwe vs Gambia T20I match will go down in history as one of the most remarkable games in T20 cricket. Zimbabwe’s total of 344/4, Raza’s stunning century, and many broken records make it a memorable match.
This match was not just a win for Zimbabwe, but a celebration of cricket’s growth in Africa and the spirit of competition that drives the game forward.