Brendan Taylor has reignited hope among Zimbabwean fans by scoring his maiden T20I century during a crushing victory over Botswana at Harare Sports Club. The veteran wicketkeeper-batter, returning to the national fold, produced an exquisite 123 off 54 balls, punctuating his innings with boundary after boundary, as the Chevrons consolidated their grip at the summit of Group A.
After Botswana elected to bowl, Zimbabwe quickly seized control. The hosts lost opener Tadiwanashe Marumani early, but Taylor and Brian Bennett combined in a breathtaking 112-run partnership in just 50 balls to rebuild momentum. Bennett’s own assault produced 65 from 33 balls, including a 28-run blitz in one over. With that foundation, Taylor took over: in the ninth over, he launched 19 runs off a single delivery, and he carried that aggression forward to take Zimbabwe well past the 200-run mark.
Taylor’s century is particularly sweet in light of his long absence from international play. His reintegration into the side stress the selectors’ faith in his experience and finishing ability. By anchoring the innings and accelerating with precision, he not only delivered runs but also set a tone of dominance.
This performance also serves as a signal to Zimbabwe’s white-ball critics: the depth and maturity in their batting lineup are real and evolving. With qualification stakes high and competition stiff, Taylor’s milestone is more than a personal achievement — it may be a catalyst for the Chevrons’ renewed ambition on the global stage.
