Durham created a world record by beating Mashonaland Eagles by 213 runs in the final of Zimbabwe’s domestic T20 competition yesterday (March 9).

As part of preparations for the upcoming 2024 domestic season, Durham had flown out to Zimbabwe to participate in their domestic T20 competition. They dominated the league stages, winning five out of five games.

A big total while batting first

In the final against Mashonaland Eagles, Durham won the toss and batted first. Opener Ollie Robinson gave them a rapid start, scoring 49 off 20 and was supported well by Netherlands’ Bas de Leede, who scored 58 off 29, hitting five sixes in the process while batting at No.3.

Strong cameos from their lower middle order took Durham past 200 as they finished on a mammoth score of 229-6 from their 20 overs. What transpired after that, was something no one could have imagined.

A record low for the Eagles

The Eagles lost two wickets in their first over, including that of Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine. The second over fetched two more wickets and the third fetched another as in the blink of an eye, the Eagles’ scorecard read 5-5 from 2.3 overs.

The fifth and the eighth overs were the only ones where a wicket didn’t fall as the Eagles were shockingly bowled out for 16 in 8.1 overs. Naturally, no one went into double figures. For Durham, wickets were shared amongst five different bowlers with none taking more than two.

CHAMPIONS! 🏆

Durham outclass Eagles to win the Domestic T20 Cup silverware 🎉#DomesticT20 #EAGvDUR pic.twitter.com/lYTgr2m938

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) March 9, 2024

World record victory

The victory margin of 213 was the third highest in the history of T20 cricket and the highest in non-international T20 games. It was also only the fourth-ever instance of a team winning a T20 match by more than 200 runs.

Durham, who are playing in Zimbabwe's domestic T20 competition as part of their pre-season, have just bowled the Eagles out for 16 in response to their 229-6. It's the biggest win by anyone in a non-international men's T20

— Ben Gardner (@Ben_Wisden) March 9, 2024

The Eagles’ total of 16 was also the third lowest all-out total in the history of T20 cricket after Isle of Man’s 10 against Spain in 2023 and Sydney Thunders 15 against Adelaide Strikers in 2022.

Durham have never won the T20 Blast back home in England and this victory should help get them in good shape ahead of the next season.

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