Eric Dusingizimana, an international cricketer from Rwanda, has set a new world record by batting for the longest time in the nets. The captain of the national cricket team started on Wednesday morning at Amahoro Indoor stadium in Remera and totally spent 51 hours batting.
The previous Guinness record was held by Virag Mare, an Indian who batted for 50 hours straight in Pune in December last year.
People participating in the World Economic Forum in Kigali also took part in bowling to Dusingizimana, but it was mostly filled with enthusiastic cricket fans and well-wishers, reported newtimes.co.rw. It also said that some of them had spent nights at the stadium to cheer him and bowl to him every few seconds.
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Among the ones who had bowled to him was also the former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, accompanied by the UK ambassador and British investors. The Sports and Cultural minister, Julienne Uwacu and Miss Rwanda Jolly Mutesi also bowled to him. The last ball before the world record was bowled by William gelling, the British High Commissioner to Rwanda.
The official Twitter account of Rwanda Cricket Association tweeted the following picture and #Eric4WorldRecord was trending:
Speaking to Times Sports before he entered the competition, 29-year old Dusingizimana said that he was doing it to improve the state of the game in the country. “We need to build the future of cricket in Rwanda, set up good cricket facilities as well as help improve the sport's image on the international stage. I will not give up till the last ball," he said.
The Rwandan was confident that he would get past the world record without resting, apart from the five-minute break given for refreshment after every hour.
Also read: Man claims world record for longest run-up in a cricket match by running 2.6 miles
Dusingizimana is one of the most experienced cricketers in the African country and has been playing for almost 10 years. He started playing for Right Guards in 2006 and then moved to Young Tigers, Impala Titans, and Dugout CC till 2014, after which he rejoined Guards.
He found a place in the national team in 2008 and has been a key player for the side, helping them win the ICC third division tournaments in Ghana in 2011.
Locally, Dusingizimana has won several tournaments, including the 2006 50-overs Premier League, playing for Guards. He also got the Man of the Tournament award in 2010 and won the title playing for Titans.
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