In a record-breaking match between Czech Republic and Turkey in the ongoing 2019 Continental Cup tournament in Romania, Czech batsman Sudesh Wickramasekara equalled the fastest century in a T20I innings jointly held by India’s Rohit Sharma and South Africa’s David Miller.
Sudesh Wickramasekara’s unbeaten 104 from 36 balls (century in 35 to equal the World Record) enabled Czech Republic to post 278, equalling the highest team T20I score recorded by Afghanistan. Czech Republic then bowled out Turkey for only 21 runs, thus winning the game by a margin of 257 runs, the biggest ever margin runs victory recorded in men’s T20I’s. Czech Republic broke the highest margin run win record made on the first day of the tournament, when Romania beat Turkey by 173 runs to beat the record held by Sri Lanka, when they beat Kenya by 172 runs in 2007 World Twenty20. In that match, Romania’s Sivakumar Periyalwar smashed 105 off 40 deliveries.
Host’s Romania have registered three wins in as many games to enter the tournament final on Sunday, and still have a final group stage match remaining. Czech Republic, Luxembourg and Austria are all tied at second place in the points table with a win against their names.
Luxembourg’s Ankush Nanda also created a T20I World Record by picking up 5/6 to register the best T20I bowling figures on debut, as Turkey were bowled out for 31 runs, which Luxembourg chased down in their 4th over to win the match by 9 wickets.
