Zimbabwe made history in T20 international cricket by posting a colossal 344-4 against Gambia in the ICC T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier in Nairobi. The incredible feat on October 23 saw Zimbabwe surpass the previous record for the highest T20I score, breaking Nepal's 314-3, set against Mongolia during the Asian Games 2023.

The highlight of Zimbabwe's innings was Sikandar Raza’s explosive 133* off just 43 deliveries. Raza, the Zimbabwe captain, showcased his power-hitting abilities by blasting seven fours and 15 towering sixes. His century came off 33 balls, making it the second-fastest hundred in T20I cricket, equaling Namibia's Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton's record. Raza's 15 sixes also placed him joint third in the record for most sixes in a T20I innings, alongside Hungary's Zeeshan Kukikhel.

After electing to bat first, Zimbabwe got off to a fiery start with openers Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani putting up a 98-run partnership in just 5.4 overs. Marumani was the first to depart, scoring a blistering 62 off 19 balls. Following his dismissal, Raza took over, guiding his team to the record total.

This record-breaking performance helped Zimbabwe set multiple benchmarks in T20I cricket, including the highest total in the format (344-4) and the most sixes in a single T20I innings (27), surpassing Nepal's previous record of 26 sixes against Mongolia. Raza’s maiden T20I hundred was also the first-ever century scored by a Zimbabwean in men's T20I cricket, eclipsing Dion Myers’ 96 against Rwanda.

Highest total in T20Is

• 344/4 - Zimbabwe vs Gambia, Nairobi, 2024
• 314/3 - Nepal vs Mangolia, Hangzhou, 2023
• 297/6 - India vs Bangladesh, Hyderabad, 2024
• 286/5 - Zimbabwe vs Seychelles, Nairobi, 2024
• 278/3 - Afghanistan vs Ireland, Dehradun, 2019

Highest total in T20s

• 344/4 - Zimbabwe vs Gambia, Nairobi, 2024
• 314/3 - Nepal vs Mangolia, Hangzhou, 2023
• 287/3 - Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Bengaluru, 2024
• 278/3 - Afghanistan vs Ireland, Dehradun, 2019

Fastest hundred in T20Is by a full-member batter

• 33 balls - Sikandar Raza vs Gambia, Nairobi, 2024
• 35 balls - David Miller vs Bangladesh, Potchefstroom, 2017
• 35 balls - Rohit Sharma vs Sri Lanka, Indore, 2017
• 39 balls - Johnson Charles vs South Africa, Centurion, 2023
• 40 balls - Sanju Samson vs Bangladesh, Hyderabad, 2024