SIKANDRA Raza has become the first Zimbabwean to score a century in T20Is as he led the Chevrons to the highest ever score in 20-over cricket.

The 38 year old stalwart scored an unbeaten 133 runs off 43 balls as Zimbabwe finished their innings on 344/4 in their allocated 20 overs against Gambia.

Raza reached his century in 33 balls. It is now the joint second fastest ton in T20Is alongside Namibia’s Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton.

Sahil Chauhan of Nepal holds the record of the fastest T20I century which came off just 27 balls. The Chevrons’ total of 344 runs surpassed Nepal’s previous of 314 runs to become the highest ever score in T20Is.

Meanwhile, Tadiwanashe Marumani scored the fasted half century for Zimbabwe in the format, coming off just 13 deliveries. It is also the joint third fastest in the world after Dipendra Singh Airee of Nepal (nine balls), Yuvraj Singh of India (12 balls).

Marumani fell for 62 runs off 19 balls while Brian Bennett and Clive Madande scored 50 and 53 runs respectively. Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat first.

Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat first.