Afghanistan smashed the world record for the highest total in Twenty20 cricket by making 278/3 against Ireland in Dehradun.
Hazratullah Zazai smashed an unbeaten 162 off just 62 balls, hitting 11 fours and 16 sixes, as Afghanistan eclipsed the previous record of 263/3 made by Australia in 2016 against Sri Lanka and 263/5 by Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors India in 2013.
Afghanistan also shattered the record for the number of sixes in a T20 innings (22) while Zazai and Usman Ghani’s partnership of 236 was the highest ever.
Mohammad Nabi struck back-to-back sixes in the final over to take Afghanistan past the record score of 263. Zazai, at 72, was dropped by George Dockrell at deep. He got to his century (first one for Afghanistan) in 42 balls.
Here are key numbers from Twitter on Afghanistan’s record-breaking innings.
What a day for Asian cricket sides. Afghanistan has piled on a record 278/3 in their 20 overs against the hapless Ireland at Dehradun. This is now the highest total in all T20 cricket history!
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) February 23, 2019
Opener Hazratullah Zazai making a 162 in 62 balls, 11 fours, 16 sixes!😱#AFGvIRE
Afghanistan's 22 sixes are the most in a T20I innings by a team and the 2nd most by any team in Twenty20 innings.
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) February 23, 2019
Most: 23 sixes by Balkh Legends against Kabul Zwanan during APL T20 2018. #AFGvIRE
A bit of a scare during #AFGvIRE
— Jeet Vachharajani (@Jeetv27) February 23, 2019
The sprinklers have started all of a sudden in the middle of the match when Rankin was about to bowl.
Supper Soppers at work now.
Never seen this before.😂@CricCrazyNIKS @GeorgeDobell1 pic.twitter.com/NhMaR5oa4E
278/3 - Highest T20I total
— ICC (@ICC) February 23, 2019
236 - Highest T20I partnership
16 - Most sixes in an individual T20I innings
162* - Second-highest T20I score
42 balls - Third-fastest men's T20I ton
Just a few records broken by Afghanistan today!#AFGvIRE LIVE 👇https://t.co/7szofdyWOt pic.twitter.com/46MW2RXTky
Fastest Centuries in T20I cricket:
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) February 23, 2019
35 balls - David Miller vs BAN, 2017
35 balls - Rohit Sharma vs SL, 2017
42 balls - HAZRATULLAH ZAZAI vs IRE, Today#AFGvIRE
Afghanistan today broke major two records of T20 cricket v Ireland:
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) February 23, 2019
1. Highest total : 278/3 (20 overs)
2. Highest stand in T20 cricket for any wicket : 236 between Zazai & Ghani for opening wicket #AFGvIRE
Zazai's 162* off 62 balls. Cowering corner more like... #AFGvIRE pic.twitter.com/7av6JKEUlp
— Pavilion Opinions (@pavilionopinion) February 23, 2019
Are they underdogs for you ? If yes then think once again. Rising gladiators of world cricket . #AFGvIRE ❤️❤️🤗🤗 pic.twitter.com/jJGE8X9Xpg
— Arvind (@Amusingishu) February 23, 2019
Incredible hitting from Hazratullah Zazai as smashes 162* in Afghanistan's record-breaking 278/3 T20I total#AFGvIRE pic.twitter.com/lGHOWHrFLb
— Francis Kelly (@_Franciskelly) February 23, 2019
And that's the world record for the highest partnership in T20Is beating Australia's Aaron Finch and Darcy Short's 223 run stand.
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) February 23, 2019
It has been an Absolute carnage by @zazai_3 and well supported by Usman Ghani !#AFGvIRE pic.twitter.com/iPIX7sqbiy
162 in a T20 match by one man. Thats a score one team normally makes, Do you know how mad that is. ZAZAI.. TAKE A BOW #AFGvIRE
— Naveen (@ImNsamy) February 23, 2019