Afghanistan's 278 in T20Is saw many records being shattered, from Virat Kohli to AB de Villiers nobody was spared

Afghanistan’s Hazratullah Zazai, the left-handed opening batsman smashed an unbeaten 162 runs off just 62 balls in the second T20I against Ireland on February 23. Afghanistan were playing Ireland at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Dehradun when they registered their name in the history books.

Afghanistan made 278/3, which is the highest T20I total in the history of the format. In reply Ireland made 194/6 as it made for a cumulative 472 runs in the match, third highest in a T20I match. While Ireland were defeated by 84 runs, they made a few records of their own. Paul Stirling made 91 off 50 balls, the best score by an Irishman in T20Is.

Zazai’s 162-run knock was made with the help of 16 sixes, the most in T20I innings. His big hitting prowess only enhanced his reputation as a entertainer in the format. He also shares the record of fastest T20I fifty, which he made in just 12 balls. In October last year, Zazai also became the third batsman to hit six sixes in T20s.

Zazai along with Usman Ghani made a record 236-run opening partnership, which is also the highest for any wicket in T20s, in the process they broke Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers’ record of 229 runs stand in IPL 2016.

Team                 Total             Opposition          Details
Afghanistan      278/3             v Ireland         Dehradun, 2019
RCB                 263/5             v Warriors       Bengaluru, 2013
Australia          263/3              v Sri Lanka     Pallekele, 2016
North West       262/4             v Limpopo      Paarl, 2018
Sri Lanka         260/6              v Kenya          Johannesburg, 2007