OTD | Aaron Finch smashed the highest individual score in T20Is

Former Australia captain Aaron Finch was a nightmare to the opposition when his own song. An aggressive top-order batter, pinch-hitter Finch was an ideal fit for limited-overs cricket. With his ruthless big-hitting, the right-hander can change the course of a game single handedly, just like he did against Zimbabwe on July 3, 2018.

Finch recorded the highest individual score in T20 internationals during the third match of the Australia and Pakistan tour of the Zimbabwe T20I Tri-Series. The opening batter smashed 172 off 76 balls, a scintillating knock that was packed with 16 fours and 10 monstrous sixes.

He stitched a 223-run first-wicket partnership with D’Arcy Short (46 off 42) and helped Australia to post 229/2 in 20 overs. At one stage Finch looked set to break the 200-run barrier, a record that no player managed to achieve in the shortest format of the game.

His innings came to an abrupt end as he was unfortunately dismissed on a hit wicket in the last over. Left-arm spinner Tendai Chisoro, who conceded just 19 runs in his fours, was the only Zimbabwean bowler who managed to overcome the Finch threat. Batting in reply, Zimbabwe were restricted to 129/9 as Australia clinched a massive 100-run victory.

Finch breaks his record to set a benchmark

Notably, Finch had broken his record to set a new benchmark that is still unbroken. In 2013, the Aussie hard-hitter slammed 156 runs against England – the third-highest individual T20I score. He thus became the first batter with a 150-plus score in T20Is. Currently, he holds the record of being the only batter to score two 150-plus scores in T20Is and has the unique distinction of breaking his own record for the highest score in a format in international cricket.

Afghanistan cricketer Hazratullah Zazai is sitting second on the list of highest individual T20I scores. The southpaw scored 162 off just 62 balls against Ireland in 2019. Universe Boss Chris Gayle is the holder of the highest individual score in the 20-over format – 175* off 66 balls against Pune Warriors while playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 2013 IPL.

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