Afghanistan set a new T20 record by scoring 278 versus Ireland

Posted by Hreet Nigam on July 5th, 2022

Afghanistan made history by setting a new world record for the biggest Twenty20 total ever. In the 2nd Twenty20 International versus Ireland at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Ground in Dehradun, they hammered 278 runs and 3 wickets. Afghanistan t20 record against Ireland is 278 runs.

Afghanistan raced off to a flying start after gaining the toss and electing to bat first, with opening batsmen Usman Ghani and Hazratullah Zazai belting the Irish spinners to all four corners of the pitch. They had achieved 64 points by the conclusion of the Power Play overs.

Hazratullah Zazai smashed 162 not out off 62 deliveries as Afghanistan set a new Twenty20 International record of 278-3, defeating Ireland by 84 runs.

In his performance, Hazratullah Zazai smashed Eleven boundaries and sixteen maximums, and he and his opening companion Usman Ghani scored 73 runs off 48 deliveries put up the greatest stand for any wickets in a 20 overs contest, putting on 236 runs.

Mohammad Nabi then hit back-to-back sixes in the last over to send Afghanistan beyond Australia's earlier highest total of 263 runs 3 wickets, established in 2016 September versus Sri Lanka. Hazratullah Zazai, who has the maximum sixes in a single Twenty20 International innings and is tied for the equal 3rd highest single Twenty20 International score, was missed at deep cover by George Dockrell on 72 and proceeded on to record his maiden hundred for Afghanistan within only 42 deliveries.

The 20-year-old sailed to 150 within only 16 deliveries, leaving his team requiring three runs from the final over to beat Australia's total.

Asghar Afghan's squad was 122-0 at half-time, but Ireland's bowling attack was unable to control the batters, with 7 of their 8 bowlers concluding with economy rates of above 12.

Nabi contributed 17 from five deliveries before Hazratullah smashed the penultimate ball for four to put the finishing touches on the innings. Ireland started their hunt with assurance, as Paul Stirling hit 91 runs off 50 deliveries, 8 fours and six maximums dominated his initial partnership with Kevin O'Brien, reaching his half-century off 27 deliveries, with 8 boundaries and a six (37).

With the score at 109-0 and the opponents seeking to press on, O'Brien guided a full toss to deep covers off Fareed Ahmad, before Rashid Khan dismissed Andy Balbirnie.

Mujeeb ur Rahman, a teammate spinner, then grabbed the crucial wicket of Stirling, sweeping him direct to deep beyond square leg for his greatest Twenty20 International score.

Ireland has reduced to 194 runs and 6 wickets as Rashid Khan struck twice in the sixteenth over, concluding with match statistics of 4-25 from his 4 overs.

Zazai hit a four off the penultimate ball of the innings, which was fitting. On 162 runs from 62 deliveries, the ferocious southpaw stayed unblemished. His incredible innings included 11 fours and 16 maximums.

Just Chris Gayle struck 175 runs not out and Aaron Finch struck 172 had greater individual numbers in Twenty20 cricket than Zazai. Aaron  Finch's knock occurred in an IPL encounter between Pune Warriors and Royal Challengers Bangalore, whereas Gayle's came in a Twenty20 International match between Zimbabwe and Australia.

Afghanistan's 278 runs are the maximum team score ever in a Twenty20 match. They shattered the previous mark of 263 runs set by Royal Challengers Bangalore as well as the Australian national squad.