Afghanistan score 278-3 to set new T20 record

Afghan batsman Hazratullah Zazai raises his bat to celebrate a record breaking scoring run during Afghanistans International Twenty20 (T20) cricket match against Ireland in the northern Indian city of Dehradun on February 23, 2019. - Hazratullah Zazai sma

Afghanistan on Saturday posted the highest total in T20 Internationals, amassing 278 for 3 against Ireland in the second game of the series at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium here.

Hazratullah Zazai 162 not out off 62 and Usman Ghani 73 off 48 set a new record for the opening-wicket partnership with a 236-run stand as Afghanistan surpassed Australia-s 263 for 3 posted against Sri Lanka at Pallekele in 2016.

Hazratullah-s unbeaten 162 was the highest score by an Asian batsman in T20 Internationals. It was also the second highest T20I score and the third fastest men-s century.

After Afghanistan elected to bat, Hazratullah blasted as many as 16 sixes and 11 fours in his unconquered innings, while other opener Ghani scored seven fours and three sixes. Afghanistan had won the first T20 by five wickets to go 1-0 up in the three-match series.

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