Afghanistan vs Ireland 20019: Hazratullah Zazai Powers Afghans to Highest T20 Score

Hazratullah Zazai, the left-handed Afghanistan batsman has powered his team to the highest T20 score – 278. The southpaw batsman was on fire after Afghanistan skipper Asghar Afghan won the toss and decided to bat first in the second T20I against Ireland at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun.

Afghanistan, who has taken giant strides in the cricket world has posted a gargantuan total on the board. Hazratullah Zazai, who is Afghanistan opener, was able to hit the ground running from the get-go. In fact, Zazai is playing only his fifth T20I match.

Zazai was breathing fire.

The left-handed batsman scored his maiden T20I hundred and took the Ireland bowlers to the cleaners. Zazai smashed 11 fours and 16 sixes in his mammoth knock of 162 runs, which came off only 62 deliveries. Zazai’s 16 sixes are most by any batsman in the shortest version. The talisman batsman scored his runs at a staggering strike rate of 261.29. Zazai’s 162 is the second highest individual score in T20 cricket after Chris Gayle’s 175.

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Afghanistan got off to a sublime start when Hazratullah Zazai and Usman Ghani added a monumental association of 236 runs for the opening stand. In fact, the 236 run stand is the highest partnership for any stand in T20 cricket. Ghani, who played second fiddle to Zazai clobbered 48-ball 73 as he was also at his best. The Afghanistan opener hammered seven fours and three sixes in his knock.

There are two totals of 263 runs in the shortest format of the game. Royal Challengers Bangalore had scored 263 when Chris Gayle had jackhammered 175 off just 66 balls against Pune Warriors India. Furthermore, Australia had also scored 263 against Sri Lanka in 2016. North West had scored 262 against Limpopo at Paarl in 2018.

Furthermore, Afghanistan scored 22 sixes in their batting innings – which is also a record. On the other hand, Ireland has also got off to a good start as they have posted 86-0 in 7.2 overs.