T20 cricket is known for its big scores and exciting matches. Teams try to score as many runs as possible in just 20 overs. This leads to some excellent batting performances that break records.
In this article, we will look at the top ten highest scores in T20 cricket history. From Zimbabwe’s world record to Nepal’s incredible performance, these matches show us how exciting T20 cricket can be.
Let’s get started!
Top 10 Highest Scores in T20 History
Here is a list of the highest team scores in T20 cricket. Then, we’ll look closely at each match to understand how these big scores were made.
| Team | Score | Result | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | 344/4 | Won | Gambia | Nairobi (Ruaraka) | 23 Oct 2024 |
| Nepal | 314/3 | Won | Mongolia | Hangzhou | 27 Sep 2023 |
| India | 297/6 | Won | Bangladesh | Hyderabad | 12 Oct 2024 |
| Zimbabwe | 286/5 | Won | Seychelles | Nairobi (Gym) | 19 Oct 2024 |
| India | 283/1 | Won | South Africa | Johannesburg | 15 Nov 2024 |
| Afghanistan | 278/3 | Won | Ireland | Dehradun | 23 Feb 2019 |
| Czech Republic | 278/4 | Won | Turkey | Ilfov County | 30 Aug 2019 |
| Nigeria | 271/4 | Won | Ivory Coast | Abuja | 24 Nov 2024 |
| Malaysia | 268/4 | Won | Thailand | Hangzhou | 2 Oct 2023 |
| England | 267/3 | Won | West Indies | Tarouba | 19 Dec 2023 |
Here are the detailed descriptions for all 10 matches with the highest scores in T20 history:
1. Zimbabwe’s World Record Against Gambia (2024)
On 23rd October 2024, Zimbabwe made history by scoring 344 runs for the loss of 4 wickets against Gambia at Nairobi. This is the highest score ever made in T20 cricket. Sikandar Raza was the star of the match, scoring 143 runs without getting out. He hit 15 sixes in his innings, which is also a record.
Raza scored 143 runs in just 33 balls, making it one of the fastest hundreds ever. He was helped by other players who also hit the ball hard. In reply, Gambia could only score 54 runs, making it one of the biggest wins in T20 cricket. The last over of Zimbabwe’s innings yielded 25 runs, helping them reach this remarkable total.
2. Nepal’s Amazing Performance Against Mongolia (2023)
Nepal scored 314 runs for 3 wickets against Mongolia on 27th September 2023 during the Asian Games. This was the highest score at the time, until Zimbabwe broke the record. Kushal Malla scored 137 in just 50 balls.
But the real hero was Dipendra Singh Airee, who scored 52 runs in just 10 balls without getting out. He hit eight sixes in his short innings. His fifty came in only nine balls, breaking the old record of 12 balls held by Yuvraj Singh. Mongolia could only score 41 runs in reply, losing by 273 runs.
3. India’s Big Score Against Bangladesh (2024)
India scored 297 runs for 6 wickets against Bangladesh on 12th October 2024 in Hyderabad. This was a great team performance, with many players contributing to the big score. Sanju Samson scored 111 runs in just 47 balls.
Suryakumar Yadav also scored 75 in just 35 balls. India scored at a rate of almost 15 runs per over throughout their innings. Bangladesh found it very difficult to bowl against such aggressive batting. The Indian team showed why they are one of the best T20 teams in the world with this performance.
4. Zimbabwe’s Second Big Score Against Seychelles (2024)
Zimbabwe proved their batting strength again by scoring 286 runs for 5 wickets against Seychelles on 19th October 2024 at Nairobi Gymkhana Club. This was just three days after their world record score, showing how good their batting had become.
Brian Bennett scored an outstanding 91 runs in just 35 balls. They maintained a run rate of over 14 runs per over throughout their innings. Seychelles bowlers struggled to stop the Zimbabwe batsmen, who seemed to hit every ball to the boundary. This was another complete victory for Zimbabwe in their successful tour.
5. India’s Dominant Display Against South Africa (2024)
India scored 283 runs for just one wicket against South Africa on 15th November 2024 in Johannesburg. This was an incredible performance because India lost only one wicket while scoring such a big total. Tilak Verma played the knock of his life, scoring 120 in just 47 balls.
The partnership between Tilak and Sanju Samson was the main highlight. South Africa’s bowlers, who are usually very good, could not find a way to stop the Indian batting. India maintained a run rate of over 14 runs per over while keeping their wickets safe.
6. Afghanistan’s Historic Total Against Ireland (2019)
Afghanistan scored 278 runs for 3 wickets against Ireland on 23rd February 2019 in Dehradun. This was one of the first times a team had scored more than 275 runs in T20 cricket. Afghanistan showed that they were becoming a strong team in world cricket.
Hazratullah Zazai scored a destructive 162 runs in just 62 balls! Ireland’s bowlers tried their best but could not control the Afghan batting attack. This match helped Afghanistan gain respect as a good T20 team. The victory was significant for Afghan cricket.
7. Czech Republic’s European Record Against Turkey (2019)
Czech Republic scored 278 runs for 4 wickets against Turkey on 30th August 2019 in Ilfov County, Romania. This became the highest score ever made by a European team in T20 cricket. The Czech players demonstrated that cricket was gaining popularity in Europe.
Sudesh Wickramasekara scored a blistering 104 in just 36 balls. Sumit Pokhriyal scored 79 runs in just 52 balls. Turkey’s bowlers found it very hard to stop the Czech batting. This match demonstrated that cricket was gaining popularity in countries where it was not widely played before.
8. Nigeria’s African Record Against Ivory Coast (2024)
Nigeria scored 271 runs for four wickets against the Ivory Coast on 24th November 2024 in Abuja. This was an excellent performance by the Nigerian team, demonstrating that African cricket was gaining strength. They scored runs at over 13 runs per over.
Selim Salau scored an outstanding 112 runs in just 52 balls. Ivory Coast bowlers struggled to contain the Nigerian batting attack. In reply. Ivory Coast was bowled out in just seven runs!
9. Malaysia’s Strong Performance Against Thailand (2023)
Malaysia scored 268 runs for 4 wickets against Thailand on 2nd October 2023 in Hangzhou during the Asian Games. This was part of many high-scoring matches during the Asian Games. Malaysian batsmen played very well to reach this big total.
Syed Aziz scored 126 runs in just 56 balls! The Malaysian team showed good planning and execution. They scored runs consistently throughout their innings without losing too many wickets. Thailand’s bowlers found it difficult to stop the Malaysian batting. This performance helped Malaysia gain confidence in international cricket.
10. England’s Caribbean Masterclass Against West Indies (2023)
England scored 267 runs for 3 wickets against the West Indies on 19th December 2023 in Tarouba. This was a great display by the English batsmen, who are known for their aggressive style. They lost only three wickets while scoring such a big total.
Phil Salt scored a blistering 119 runs in just 57 balls. He played with great skill and power. West Indies bowlers, who are usually very good at T20 cricket, could not stop the English batting. England maintained their run rate throughout the innings and won the match easily.
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Conclusion: Zimbabwe Holds the Record for the Highest T20 Score
T20 cricket continues to amaze fans with these incredible high scores. Zimbabwe’s world record of 344 runs shows how far the game has come. Players like Sikandar Raza, who hit 15 sixes, and Dipendra Singh Airee, who scored 52 runs in just 10 balls, have made T20 cricket very exciting.
These big scores show that batsmen are becoming more skilled and confident. They are not afraid to take risks and try to hit every ball for boundaries. This makes T20 cricket very entertaining for fans who love to see big hits and high scores.
FAQs:
Zimbabwe holds the record with 344/4 against Gambia in 2024, featuring Sikandar Raza’s incredible 133 not out, which included 15 sixes.
Dipendra Singh Airee of Nepal scored a fifty in just nine balls against Mongolia, breaking Yuvraj Singh’s previous record of 12 balls.
India and Zimbabwe have multiple entries in the top 10 highest scores, showing their strong batting capabilities in T20 cricket.
Zimbabwe hit 27 sixes in their record score of 344/4, with Sikandar Raza contributing 15 of those sixes.
