Afghanistan recorded the highest T20I total, scoring 278 for three against Ireland in the second match of the series on Saturday. Australia’s 263 for three against Sri Lanka was the previous record.
Opener Hazratullah Zazai hammered an unbeaten 162 off just 62 deliveries with 16 sixes and 11 fours. This is the second-highest individual score behind Aaron Finch’s 172 against Zimbabwe in Harare last year.
His opening partner, Usman Ghani, complemented him with a 48-ball 73, an innings punctuated with seven fours and three sixes.
Zazai’s 16 sixes is the most by a batsman in a T20I innings, bettering Finch’s record of 14. The first-wicket partnership of 236 between Zazai and Ghani is the highest in T20Is.
The scores:
Afghanistan 278 for three in 20 overs (Hazratullah Zazai 162 n.o., Usman Ghani 73) bt Ireland 194 for six in 20 overs (Paul Stirling 91, Kevin O’Brien 37, Rashid Khan four for 25).