Zimbabwe claimed a historic victory against The Gambia, winning by 290 runs in the T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier, establishing the highest margin of victory in T20 history. Sikandar Raza’s outstanding 133 not out led the team to a record score of 344/4, while The Gambia was bowled out for 54 runs. This performance places Zimbabwe in a strong position for the next stage of qualifying for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Zimbabwe achieved a monumental victory over The Gambia, winning by an unparalleled margin of 290 runs in the T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier Group B match held at the Ruaraka Sports Club Ground in Nairobi. This remarkable win saw Zimbabwe post a record innings score of 344 for 4 before bowling out The Gambia for a mere 54 runs in 14.4 overs, thus surpassing the previous record margin of 273 runs set by Nepal against Mongolia. Skipper Sikandar Raza spearheaded Zimbabwe’s emphatic performance, scoring an explosive 133 not out off just 43 balls, which included 15 sixes, marking his first-ever T20 International century. This innings contributed to Zimbabwe’s new highest total in T20 history, eclipsing Nepal’s previous record of 314 for 3 against Mongolia from the previous year. Moreover, Zimbabwe’s 27 sixes in their innings set a new record, narrowly eclipsing Nepal’s tally by one six. The opening pair of Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani laid a solid foundation with a partnership of 98 runs for the first wicket off 34 balls. Following this, Raza collaborated with Clive Madande, who remained unbeaten on 53, to amass an additional 141 runs for the fifth wicket in a mere 40 deliveries. On the bowling side, seamer Musa Jobarteh faced a particularly challenging outing, conceding 93 runs in his four overs, which now stands as an unwanted record for the worst figures in T20 history. With this resounding victory, Zimbabwe aims to advance to the next stage of Africa’s qualifying process for the 2026 T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in India and Sri Lanka.
This match is a crucial event in the T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier, which is instrumental in determining national teams’ eligibility for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Notably, Zimbabwe’s victory serves not only as a boost for the team but also showcases the potential of African cricket on the international stage. The record margin of victory and the individual performances, particularly that of Sikandar Raza, highlight the growing competitiveness and emerging talent within the sport in Zimbabwe.
In summary, Zimbabwe’s historic win by 290 runs against The Gambia in the T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier underscores a significant milestone in cricket history. Skipper Sikandar Raza’s outstanding performance, alongside robust team contributions, not only set multiple records but also positions Zimbabwe favorably in their quest for qualification in the forthcoming T20 World Cup.
Original Source: www.news18.com
