Hamza Khan's milestone ton in Rwanda's record win

Hamza Khan and Rwanda tumbled multiple records in their record-breaking Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier outing.

Hamza Khan

Hamza Khan produced one of the greatest innings in Men's T20I history on Sunday, hammering a sensational 164* against Ivory Coast in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier in Gaborone.

The 164-run knock came off just 65 balls and was laced with nine fours and 15 maximums at a thumping strike rate of 252.30. The 15 sixes he hit is also the joint fourth-highest in a single T20I innings.

Hamza’s 164 is now the second-highest individual score ever recorded in Men’s T20Is, trailing only Aaron Finch’s iconic 172 for Australia against Zimbabwe in 2018.

Most runs in an innings (Men's T20Is)

Batter (Team) Runs Opposition Year
Aaron Finch (Australia) 172 Zimbabwe 2018
Hamza Khan (Rwanda) 164* Ivory Coast 2026
Hazratullah Zazai (Afghanistan) 162* Ireland  2019
Mohammad Ihsan (Spain) 160 Croatia  2025
Aaron Finch (Australia) 156 England 2013

The innings eclipsed the previous second-best mark of 162* by Hazratullah Zazai for Afghanistan against Ireland in 2019, helping Rwanda to a massive total of 288/2 from their 20 overs.

The knock, a display of clean striking all around the ground, saw Hamza dominate the Ivory Coast bowlers from the powerplay through to the death overs as Rwanda piled up the seventh-highest total in Men's T20I history.

Coming into the tournament in strong form, Hamza had already struck an unbeaten 60 in Rwanda’s opening victory over Cameroon a day earlier. 

In return, Ivory Coast were bowled out for a mere 17 runs, making it the joint fifth-lowest score in all T20Is. Rwanda's 271-run triumph is now the third-highest win margin in Men's T20Is.

Photo courtesy: Hamza Khan/Instagram