Romania crushed a 12-year-old record to register the biggest T20I victory (by a margin of runs) by a team after beating Turkey by a record 173 runs in the ongoing Romania Cup on Thursday. The massive win helped Romania break a record held by Sri Lanka since 2007 when they beat Kenya by 172 runs in the inaugural T20I World cup at South Africa. Romania, courtesy their 173-run victory, have therefore overtaken Sri Lanka and now holds the record for the biggest Twenty20 international victory by a margin of runs. Romania Vs Turkey, Cricket Score 3rd T20 Match.

Indian-origin Sivakumar Periyalwar scored a century as Romania posted 226/6 in 20 overs after opting to bat first. In reply, Turkey were cleaned for a paltry 53 runs in 13 overs with Romanian bowler Cosmin Zaviou returning with figures of three 3 wickets for four runs from one over. Tamil Nadu-born Periyalwar, who works as a software engineer in Romania, blasted an unbeaten 105 runs from just 40 deliveries to register his maiden T20I century for Romania and help post a giant score on board.

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Periyalwar later in an interview with The Indian Express spoke about shifting base and how his experience of playing age-group cricket tournaments in India helped him. “Actually, when I was a child I participated in Under-15, Under-22 and Under-25 tournaments back home. After completion of my graduation, I shifted to Romania in 2015. But I still had a passion for cricket and wanted to play the game again. I got to know about the cricket matches in Romania and joined the Cluj Cricket Club,” he said,” he told the English daily.

“I can’t explain because I am an engineer working at a software company here. I used to play on weekends for Cluj Cricket Club. Last two years we were the champions of the national T20 tournament. Based on my performance I got selected in the national team,” Periyalwar added.

The right-hander reached the three-figure milestone in the final over of Romania’s innings but had no idea when he completed the century. “Actually, I had no idea (laughs). After 15 overs, I started to hit and go for a big score and increase the run rate. My teammates encouraged me to hit more boundaries. I just wanted to get a big score on the board for the team.”

His hundred led Romania to a record-breaking victory and helped them climb to the top of the points table in the ongoing Romania Cup tournament. They had beaten Australia by 31 runs in their opening clash. Romania play the Czech Republic in their next game.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 31, 2019 10:53 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).