Twenty20 (T20) cricket, the shortest and most electrifying format of the game, is known for explosive batting and high-scoring matches. Since its inception, teams have consistently pushed the boundaries of what can be achieved in just 20 overs. Batters take full advantage of the limited overs, looking to hit the ball out of the park at every opportunity. This has led to some staggering totals in the history of T20 cricket, with teams racking up mind-boggling scores that have thrilled fans around the world.
Here’s a look at some of the highest team totals in T20 cricket, and the thrilling moments that created them.
Nepal vs Mongolia (27 Sep 2023)
Nepal played Mongolia at Hangzhou on 27 September 2023. Nepal put up an impressive 314 runs. Mongolia could not compete and was all out for just 41. Nepal won the match by a massive 273 runs. The top scorer for Nepal was Kushal Bhurtel, who scored 115 runs.
| Team | Score | Run Rate | Opponent | Venue | Date | Winner | Margin | Top Scorer (Nepal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nepal | 314 | 15.70 | Mongolia | Hangzhou | 27 Sep 2023 | Nepal | Won by 273 runs | Kushal Bhurtel (115) |
India vs Bangladesh (12 Oct 2024)
India faced Bangladesh in Hyderabad on 12 October 2024. India scored 297 runs. Bangladesh struggled to chase the target and India won the match by 133 runs. Virat Kohli top-scored for India with 90 runs.
| Team | Score | Run Rate | Opponent | Venue | Date | Winner | Margin | Top Scorer (India) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 297 | 14.85 | Bangladesh | Hyderabad | 12 Oct 2024 | India | Won by 133 runs | Sanju Samson (111) |
Afghanistan vs Ireland (23 Feb 2019)
Afghanistan faced Ireland in Dehradun on 23 February 2019. Afghanistan scored 278 runs. Ireland fell short in their chase, and Afghanistan won by 84 runs. The top scorer for Afghanistan was Hazratullah Zazai with 162 runs.
| Team | Score | Run Rate | Opponent | Venue | Date | Winner | Margin | Top Scorer (Afghanistan) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 278 | 13.90 | Ireland | Dehradun | 23 Feb 2019 | Afghanistan | Won by 84 runs | Hazratullah Zazai (162) |
Czech Republic vs Turkey (30 Aug 2019)
The Czech Republic played against Turkey at Ilfov County on 30 August 2019. Czech Republic scored 278 runs. Turkey couldn’t match the score, and Czech Republic won by a huge margin of 257 runs. Sudesh Wickramasekara was the top scorer for Czech Republic with 104 runs.
| Team | Score | Run Rate | Opponent | Venue | Date | Winner | Margin | Top Scorer (Czech Rep.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Czech Republic | 278 | 13.90 | Turkey | Ilfov County | 30 Aug 2019 | Czech Republic | Won by 257 runs | Sudesh Wickramasekara (104) |
Malaysia vs Thailand (2 Oct 2023)
Malaysia took on Thailand at Hangzhou on 2 October 2023. Malaysia posted 268 runs. Thailand couldn’t compete, and Malaysia won the match by 194 runs. Virandeep Singh top-scored for Malaysia with 92 runs.
| Team | Score | Run Rate | Opponent | Venue | Date | Winner | Margin | Top Scorer (Malaysia) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malaysia | 268 | 13.40 | Thailand | Hangzhou | 2 Oct 2023 | Malaysia | Won by 194 runs | Virandeep Singh (92) |
England vs West Indies (19 Dec 2023)
England faced West Indies at Tarouba on 19 December 2023. England scored 267 runs and restricted West Indies, winning by 75 runs. Jos Buttler top-scored for England with 98 runs.
| Team | Score | Run Rate | Opponent | Venue | Date | Winner | Margin | Top Scorer (England) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 267 | 13.35 | West Indies | Tarouba | 19 Dec 2023 | England | Won by 75 runs | Jos Buttler (98) |
Australia vs Sri Lanka (6 Sep 2016)
Australia played Sri Lanka in Pallekele on 6 September 2016. Australia posted 263 runs and won the match by 85 runs. Glenn Maxwell was the top scorer for Australia with an unbeaten 145* runs.
| Team | Score | Run Rate | Opponent | Venue | Date | Winner | Margin | Top Scorer (Australia) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 263 | 13.15 | Sri Lanka | Pallekele | 6 Sep 2016 | Australia | Won by 85 runs | Glenn Maxwell (145*) |
Sri Lanka vs Kenya (14 Sep 2007)
Sri Lanka faced Kenya at Johannesburg on 14 September 2007. Sri Lanka put up 260 runs and won by a big margin of 172 runs. Sanath Jayasuriya was the top scorer for Sri Lanka with 88 runs.
| Team | Score | Run Rate | Opponent | Venue | Date | Winner | Margin | Top Scorer (Sri Lanka) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | 260 | 13.00 | Kenya | Johannesburg | 14 Sep 2007 | Sri Lanka | Won by 172 runs | Sanath Jayasuriya (88) |
India vs Sri Lanka (22 Dec 2017)
India faced Sri Lanka in Indore on 22 December 2017. India scored 260 runs and comfortably won the match by 88 runs. Rohit Sharma was the top scorer for India with 118 runs.
| Team | Score | Run Rate | Opponent | Venue | Date | Winner | Margin | Top Scorer (India) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 260 | 13.00 | Sri Lanka | Indore | 22 Dec 2017 | India | Won by 88 runs | Rohit Sharma (118) |
South Africa vs West Indies (26 Mar 2023)
South Africa played against West Indies at Centurion on 26 March 2023. South Africa chased down West Indies’ total of 259 runs. South Africa won by 6 wickets, with Quinton de Kock top-scoring with 141 runs.
| Team | Score | Run Rate | Opponent | Venue | Date | Winner | Margin | Top Scorer (South Africa) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 259 | 13.75 | West Indies | Centurion | 26 Mar 2023 | South Africa | Won by 6 wickets | Quinton de Kock (141) |
Conclusion
The top T20 team totals reflect the excitement and unpredictability that the format offers. With teams consistently pushing the envelope and batters taking on new challenges, it’s clear that these records will continue to be challenged as T20 cricket evolves. Fans can expect more fireworks and even bigger totals in the future as the boundaries of possibility in T20 cricket are continuously redefined.
Who knows? The next record-breaking score might be just around the corner!
