T20 cricket has changed the way teams play, with huge scores now being common in just 120 balls. The highest team totals in T20I matches show how important big-hitting has become. Only two teams have ever crossed 300 runs in T20Is, but many have come close, making exciting games and breaking records. In this article, we will look at the top team scores in T20I cricket by test-playing nations.
What Are the Highest Team Totals in T20I Cricket?
The record for the highest team total in T20Is by a test-playing nation is held by Zimbabwe, who scored a massive 344/4 in 2024. Teams try to score big by hitting lots of boundaries and putting pressure on the bowlers. Here are the top 10 highest scores by test-playing nations in T20I cricket.
10. West Indies – 258/5 vs South Africa (2023)
In an exciting game in Centurion, West Indies made their highest T20I score of 258/5 against South Africa. Johnson Charles led the way with 118 runs off 46 balls, but South Africa still chased down the total.
9. South Africa – 259/5 vs West Indies (2023)
Just a few days later, South Africa set a new record by chasing down 259 runs in just 18.3 overs. Quinton de Kock’s century (100 off 44 balls) and Reeza Hendricks’ 68 helped South Africa achieve the highest successful chase in T20I history.
8. India – 260/5 vs Sri Lanka (2017)
India’s 260/5 against Sri Lanka is one of their best batting performances in T20Is. Rohit Sharma scored a quick 118 off 43 balls, and his partnership with KL Rahul helped India reach their highest team total at the time.
7. Sri Lanka – 260/5 vs Kenya (2007)
Sri Lanka became the first team to score more than 250 runs in T20Is when they made 260/5 against Kenya in the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup. Sanath Jayasuriya’s 88 played a key role in setting this early record.
6. Australia – 263/3 vs Sri Lanka (2016)
Australia’s highest team total in T20Is came when Glenn Maxwell opened the innings and scored 145 off 65 balls. Australia’s 263/3 helped them break Sri Lanka’s record for the highest total in T20 cricket at that time.
5. England – 267/3 vs West Indies (2023)
Phil Salt’s century (119 off 57 balls) and Liam Livingstone’s fast 54 helped England post their highest team total of 267/3 against West Indies.
4. Afghanistan – 278/3 vs Ireland (2019)
Afghanistan’s highest T20I total came against Ireland in 2019, when Hazratullah Zazai played an amazing innings of 162 off 62 balls. Afghanistan’s 278/3 was the highest score by a test-playing nation at the time.
3. Zimbabwe – 286/5 vs Seychelles (2024)
Zimbabwe scored 286/5 against Seychelles in the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Africa Qualifier, led by Brian Bennett’s 91 and Tadiwanashe Marumani’s 86.
2. India – 297/6 vs Bangladesh (2024)
In 2024, India made their highest-ever T20I score of 297/6 against Bangladesh. Sanju Samson scored 111, and Suryakumar Yadav added 75 to bring India close to the 300-run mark.
1. Zimbabwe – 344/4 vs Gambia (2024)
On October 23, 2024, Zimbabwe set a new record for the highest team total in T20I cricket, making 344/4 against Gambia. Sikandar Raza’s 133 off 43 balls, along with Brian Bennett and Clive Madande’s contributions, helped Zimbabwe break the previous record set by India by a large margin.
Conclusion
These top team totals in T20I cricket show how the game has changed, with teams aiming for big scores and playing aggressive cricket. As T20 cricket continues to grow, we can expect more records to be broken and even higher scores to be achieved, especially by test-playing nations.
Also Read: Top 5 Highest Team Totals in T20I Cricket History
