Brendan Taylor smashed 123 (54) with 16 fours and 5 sixes
Zimbabwe piled up 259/5, their second-highest T20I total
Botswana restricted to 89/8, losing by a massive 170 runs
Zimbabwe produced a batting masterclass at Harare Sports Club, posting a mammoth 259/5 in 20 overs after being put in to bat against Botswana. Veteran Brendan Taylor rolled back the years with a sensational 123 off just 54 balls, smashing 16 fours and five sixes at a staggering strike rate of 227.78. Brian Bennett’s quickfire 65 and cameos from Sikandar Raza and Tashinga Musekiwa ensured Zimbabwe crossed the 250 mark with ease.
The sides met each other for the first time in international cricket.
In reply, Botswana never got going against Zimbabwe’s disciplined attack and managed only 89/8 in their 20 overs. Wicketkeeper Monroux Kasselman top-scored with a fighting 26, while Tharindu Perera added a valiant unbeaten 31. However, the rest of the lineup crumbled as Richard Ngarava and Ryan Burl struck early, while Raza and Evans kept the pressure on with crucial breakthroughs.
The emphatic 170-run victory highlighted Zimbabwe’s dominance, with Taylor’s innings standing out as one of the finest knocks in recent African regional cricket. The win not only boosted Zimbabwe’s net run rate but also sent a strong message to their rivals in Group B of the qualifiers.
Zimbabwe Vs Botswana Live Score
Zimbabwe Vs Botswana Toss Update
Botswana won the toss and chose to bowl first.
Zimbabwe Vs Botswana Playing XIs
Zimbabwe: Brendan Taylor (wk), Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brian Bennett, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Brad Evans, Tony Munyonga, Tinotenda Maphosa, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava.
Botswana: Monroux Kasselman wk, Vinoo Balakrishnan, Reginald Nehonde, Tharindu Perera-I, Thatayaone Tshose, Karabo Motlanka (c) (wk), Karabo Modise, Boemo Kgosiemang, Katlo Piet, Dhruv Maisuria, Botlhe Keganne
Zimbabwe Vs Botswana Squads
Zimbabwe Squad: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brendan Taylor(w), Sikandar Raza(c), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Tinotenda Maposa, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Clive Madande, Trevor Gwandu
Botswana Squad: Karabo Modise, Vinoo Balakrishnan, Karabo Motlhanka(w/c), Monroux Kasselman, Tharindu Perera, Reginald Nehonde, Thatayaone Tshose, Katlo Piet, Boemo Khumalo, Boemo Kgosiemang, Dhruvkumar Maisuria, Losika Makgale, Botlhe Keganne, Abednico Motshegetsi