NAIROBI: All-rounder Sikandar Raza scored a swashbuckling century and muscled Zimbabwe to the highest total in Men’s T20Is. Zimbabwe piled up a mammoth 344/4 in 20 overs in the T20 World Cup Africa Sub Regional Qualifiers’ fixture against Gambia at Ruaraka Sports Club Ground here on Wednesday.

Previously, the record was held by Nepal, who smashed 314/6 against Mongolia in the opening game of the Asian Games 2023. Earlier this month, reigning champions India recorded the highest total by a full-member team in Men’s ODIs when they accumulated 297/6 in the third T20I against Bangladesh.

However, Zimbabwe’s 344/4 has now put them above all, courtesy of their full-member status. Notably, Sikandar Raza-led side registered another massive total in the ongoing T20 World Cup Africa Sub Regional Qualifiers when they scored 286/5 against Seychelles on October 19. Playing their fourth match of the regional qualifiers, Sikandar Raza’s 33-ball century, coupled with blistering half-centuries from Biran Bennet, Tadiwanashe Marumani and Clive Madande powered Zimbabwe to the highest total in Men’s T20Is. Earlier, openers Bennett and Marumani gave Zimbabwe a flamboyant start with a quickfire 98-run partnership, which culminated inside the batting powerplay with Marumani’s dismissal. Marumani scored a 26-ball 50, while Marumani made 62 off 19 deliveries with the help of nine fours and four sixes.