On October 23, during the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional qualifiers held in Nairobi, Kenya, the Zimbabwe men’s cricket team faced off against The Gambia, achieving a remarkable feat.
Historic Achievement
Zimbabwe made history by posting the highest score ever recorded in men’s T20 international cricket, finishing with an impressive total of 344 runs for the loss of just four wickets. This achievement surpassed the previous record of 314 runs set by Nepal last year against Mongolia.
Raza’s Remarkable Century
Sikandar Raza delivered a standout performance, scoring 133 runs off just 43 balls, reaching his century in a mere 33 balls. This feat tied him for the second-fastest century in T20I history, behind Sahil Chauhan, who holds the record with a century in 27 balls, achieved in June.
Path to the Final Round
With this victory, Zimbabwe secured their place in the final round of the African qualifiers scheduled for next year. Other teams that have qualified so far include Namibia, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, and Kenya. In contrast, The Gambia has faced significant challenges on the cricket field, having joined the ICC as an Associate Member in 2017 and currently ranking 95th in the world. Notably, they became the first team to forfeit two games by walkover earlier in the tournament.
Scorecard:
- Zimbabwe: 344-4 (20.0 overs) – Raza 133* (43); Jarju 2-53
- The Gambia: 54 (14.4 overs) – Jarju 12*; Mavuta 3-10
