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It’s the shortest form of international cricket and the one where the run rates are at their highest. So, what are the biggest team totals in T20is?
What is the Highest Score in T20 by a Team?
The highest score in T20 international cricket by a team is 278/3 which was made by Afghanistan against Ireland in Dehradun in February 2019.
The total was far too much for the Irish team who made 194/6 in response, losing the game by 84 runs.
10 Highest Team Scores in T20
Afghanistan 278/3 vs Ireland
Afghanistan hold this particular record with the 278/3 made against Ireland in 2019. The total was based around a brilliant 162 from Hazratullah Zazai which became the second highest score in the individual format.
Zazai put on 236 for the first wicket with Usman Ghani.
Czech Rep. 278/4 vs Turkey
The Czech Republic are in second place on this list with a total of 278/4 which was made against Turkey in Ilfov County in 2019.
The game is also notable for the fact that Turkey made just 21 in reply. The winning margin of 257 runs is a record for all T20 cricket.
Australia 263/3 vs Sri Lanka
Australia are next with their total of 263/3 which was compiled against Sri Lanka in Pallekele in 2016. Glenn Maxwell led the way with 145 and the Australians won by 85 runs.
Sri Lanka 260/6 vs Kenya
Sri Lanka recorded a massive T20i score of their own when they took on Kenya at Johannesburg in the 2007 T20 World Cup.
Their total of 260/6 remains a record for the tournament and it led to an emphatic 172-run victory.
India 260/5 vs Sri Lanka
India’s current highest score in a T20 international is the 260/5 made against Sri Lanka in Indore in 2017. Rohit Sharma scored a century as India won by 88 runs.
Czech Rep. 258/2 vs Bulgaria
The Czech Republic are one of the stronger associate ICC nations and they made another huge score in T20 internationals when they took on Bulgaria in Marsa in May 2022.
The Czechs’ total of 258/2 featured centuries by both opening batters and it led to a victory by 88 runs.
Denmark 256/5 vs Gibraltar
Denmark are next with this exceptional total of 256/5 which was made in a game against Gibraltar at Waterloo in June 2022. It was Denmark’s best in this format and it set up victory by 132 runs.
New Zealand 254/5 vs Scotland
New Zealand are a formidable T20 side and they posted this impressive total of 254/5 against Scotland in Edinburgh in July 2022. Mark Chapman top scored with 83 as the Kiwis won by 102 runs.
Scotland 252/3 vs Netherlands
Scotland posted a huge T20 total of their own when they made 252/3 against the Netherlands in Dublin in 2019. The score was based around an undefeated 127 by George Munsey at the top of the order.
The Dutch responded well and made 194/7 in reply, but it wasn’t enough to prevent defeat by 58 runs.
Australia 248/6 vs England
Australia and England have produced some classic cricketing battles in all formats and this was a memorable T20 encounter. At the Rose Bowl in 2013, the Aussies posted a massive total of 248/6 which was built on a huge individual score of 156 from Aaron Finch.
England passed 200 in reply with Joe Root making 90 but their score of 209/6 led to a 39 run win for the visiting Australians.
Conclusion
This is the shortest form of the international game. Teams can keep wickets in hand so we should expect run rates in T20is to be higher. However, some of these figures are extremely impressive.
It’s also interesting to note that there are a lot of mismatches in the game. Some countries are still developing and their opponents have been able to take advantage of weak bowling attacks. For this reason, the list will be a fluid one and we should see more entries in the near future.
Some of these totals are very recent and that’s another indicator of a fast moving list which will see new additions in the months and years that follow.
