Brendan Taylor Shatters Records as Zimbabwe Crush Botswana in T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier

Brendan Taylor Sets Record With 123 as Zimbabwe Thrash Botswana

Zimbabwe’s veteran cricketer Brendan Taylor etched his name into T20I history on Sunday, becoming the oldest player from a Full Member nation to hit a men’s T20I hundred.

At 39 years and 234 days, Taylor smashed a breathtaking 123 off just 54 balls, surpassing Sikandar Raza’s previous record by more than a year. Only Avinash Pai of Gibraltar has recorded a T20I century at a slightly older age.

Also Read: Chevrons star Brendan Taylor Becomes 3rd Zimbabwe Batter to Complete 10,000 International Runs

Masterclass in the Middle

Taylor’s innings was a display of precision, power, and timing. Coming in at 29-1 in the third over, he reached his hundred in only 46 balls, finishing with 16 fours and five sixes before retiring out after 18 overs.

Brendan Taylor Sets Record With 123 as Zimbabwe Thrash Botswana (Image Credit: X @ZimCricketv)

His knock marked only the second T20I century for Zimbabwe, following Raza’s 133 not out against The Gambia in 2024, leaving him just 11 runs shy of the national record.

Brian Bennett also starred for Zimbabwe, contributing a blistering 65 in 33 balls, including seven fours and four sixes. Together, Taylor and Bennett put on 112 runs for the second wicket in just 62 balls, helping Zimbabwe post a mammoth 259-5 in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier match.

Dominant Team Performance

After Botswana captain Karabo Motlhanka elected to field, Zimbabwe’s bowlers returned the favor by restricting the visitors to 89-8 in their 20 overs, handing the hosts a 170-run victory. The win reinforced Zimbabwe’s strong start in the qualifier, with Taylor noting the team’s growing momentum.

“Overwhelming,” Taylor said of his innings. “I am super grateful to be back in this environment, back in Zimbabwe and around these wonderful people who drive us forward. I wasn’t expecting it today, but I was hoping for a contribution and I seem to have gone a bit further than that.”

Reflecting on the campaign, he added,

“I think the timing of our performances is starting to bode well. We have been trying to keep our feet on the ground and treat every day, every game as a final.”

A Return to Glory

Taylor’s record-breaking performance comes after his return to international cricket in July, following nearly four years away due to a ban. Since his comeback, he has featured across all three formats, proving that age is no barrier to excellence.