Published on 06:39 PM, July 30, 2022

Zimbabwe post record total in Harare 

Zimbabwe's Wessly Madhevere plays a shot. Photo: Twitter

Zimbabwe batters scored some quick runs in the middle and death overs as the hosts posted a record total in Harare against Bangladesh in the first T20I of the three-match series today. 

Sikandar Raza and Wessly Madhevere smashed unbeaten fifties while Sean Williams scored a quick-fire 33 off 19 to power Zimbabwe to 205 for three -- the highest score for Zimbabwe at the venue. This is also the second-highest total for Zimbabwe in T20Is. Their highest remains score of 236 for five against Singapore in Bulawayo earlier this month.

In today's game, Raza remained unbeaten for a rapid 26-ball 65 while Madhevere scored 67 off 46 deliveries before being retired hurt in the final over. 

Zimbabwe, after electing to bat, got off to a decent start, amassing 43 runs for the loss of a solitary wicket in the Powerplay. 

Bangladesh bowlers were in disarray throughout the innings and that only enabled the Zimbabwean batters to assert their authority on a sporting wicket in Harare. 

Zimbabwe never let Bangladesh back in the game since Sean Williams smashed spinner Nasum Ahmed for two boundaries and a maximum in the 12th over, helping the hosts to amass 18 runs in the over. 

Mustafizur Rahman got rid of Williams in the next over but that did not slow down the Zimbabwe batters as both Madhevere and Raza got into the groove. Madhevere, during his unbeaten knock, smashed a total of nine boundaries. 

But Raza was the tormentor in chief as the right-hander smashed four maximums and seven fours to propel Zimbabwe. Raza also finished the innings in style, smashing Mustafizur for two boundaries and a maximum in final over as Zimbabwe took their score past 200 – only the third time that they achieved it in T20Is.