ZIM vs SL: Brian Bennett surpasses Babar Azam’s milestone with historic knock in 1st T20I

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Zimbabwe opener Brian Bennett etched his name in cricket history books on Wednesday, setting a new T20I record for the highest score without hitting a six among full ICC members during the opening match of the three-match series against Sri Lanka at Harare Sports Club. Despite his solid knock, Zimbabwe fell short as Sri Lanka claimed a thrilling four-wicket victory with five balls to spare.

Bennett’s fluent 81 off 57 balls, adorned with 12 boundaries, became the bedrock of Zimbabwe’s competitive total of 175-7. The 27-year-old right-hander surpassed the previous record jointly held by former South African captain Faf du Plessis (79* vs Bangladesh, 2015) and Pakistan’s Babar Azam (79 vs New Zealand). Other notable names in this exclusive list include Mohammad Rizwan (78 vs West Indies) and former Australian captain Ricky Ponting (76 vs India).

Bennett’s innings showcased remarkable shot selection and timing, with the opener finding the boundary with remarkable consistency without needing to clear the ropes. His knock came to an end just 10 runs shy of his personal best in T20Is when he attempted an ambitious scoop shot against Dushmantha Chameera, only to see his middle stump uprooted by a perfectly executed yorker. Apart from skipper Sikandar Raza‘s 28, no other Zimbabwe batter managed to cross the 20-run mark, highlighting Bennett’s lone battle against the Sri Lankan bowling attack.

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Sri Lanka’s chase began with authority as Pathum Nissanka continued his dream run across formats with a sparkling 55 off 32 balls – his 15th T20I half-century – following his dominant performances in the preceding ODI series. Nissanka and Kusal Mendis formed a formidable 96-run opening partnership, putting Sri Lanka in complete control at the halfway stage.

However, the match took a dramatic turn as Zimbabwe fought back brilliantly, taking four wickets for just 10 runs in 19 balls to swing the momentum decisively. Sri Lanka slipped from a commanding position of 96 for no loss to a precarious 125 for 5, with the game hanging in the balance.

The turning point came through Kamindu Mendis, who emerged as the unlikely hero with a breathtaking unbeaten 41 off just 16 balls. His innings included four towering sixes and proved decisive in the final outcome. The most crucial moment arrived in the 18th over bowled by Tinotenda Maposa, which leaked 26 runs and effectively sealed Zimbabwe’s fate. Dushan Hemantha provided valuable support with an unbeaten 14 off nine balls, helping Sri Lanka cross the finish line.

The victory gives Sri Lanka a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, with Bennett’s record-breaking performance providing a statistical silver lining to an otherwise disappointing night for the hosts. While the all-time record across all ICC members remains with Malawi‘s Sami Sohail, who scored an unbeaten 94 against Lesotho in 2022 without clearing the ropes, Bennett’s achievement among full members represents a unique milestone in T20I cricket history.

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