Highest score in T20 International

Over the past fifteen years, Twenty20 cricket has become an integral part of the international cricket calendar, transforming from a recreational variation to a widely embraced format. The English County game embraced 20-over cricket in 2003, which soon inspired other countries around the globe to follow suit. The format gained international recognition two years later when Australia and New Zealand played the inaugural international Twenty20 fixture in February 2005.

T20 cricket’s popularity has skyrocketed, making it one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide. Prestigious leagues like the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Big Bash in Australia, and the T20 Blast in England have captured the imagination of fans globally and rank among the most significant sporting competitions on the planet. At the international level, the T20 World Cup was launched in 2007 and quickly earned a place of prestige similar to the traditional 50-over World Cup. The tournament has seen past winners like the West Indies, England, and India, which serves as a testament to the high caliber of participating teams and the event’s importance within the international cricketing community.

Highest score in T20 International

1. Afghanistan – 278/3 in 2019

In a memorable T20 international match held in Dehradun in 2019, Afghanistan created history by setting the Highest score in T20 International against Ireland. Opting to bat first, the Afghan batsman Hazratullah Zazai displayed an astonishing performance, remaining unbeaten with a remarkable 162 runs. This innings stood as the highest individual score in T20 international cricket to date. Alongside Zazai’s heroics, Usman Ghani also contributed significantly with a fine knock of 73 runs. Together, they propelled their team to a colossal total of 278/3.

Ireland, led by Paul Stirling, launched a spirited response with a brilliant 91 runs off just 50 balls. Despite Stirling’s efforts, the Irish team fell short of the massive target set by Afghanistan. The match concluded with Afghanistan’s 278/3 standing as the highest team score ever recorded in international T20 cricket, a testament to their dominant performance on that memorable day.

2. Czech Republic – 278/4 in 2019

In 2019, during the European Continental Cup, an extraordinary T20 match unfolded, showcasing the potential of representative cricket in Europe, even though it didn’t match the standards of professional play. The Czech Republic won the toss and wisely chose to bat, a decision that paid off brilliantly. They amassed a staggering 278/4 in just 20 overs, largely due to Sudesh Wickramasekara’s remarkable innings of 104* from a mere 36 balls. Turkey’s fate was even harsher as they were bundled out for a mere 21 runs, resulting in an astounding 257-run margin of victory – the largest ever recorded in international T20 cricket.

3. Australia – 263/3 in 2016

In a remarkable turn of events during 2016, Sri Lanka found themselves enduring another challenging day on the field, this time facing off against Australia in Pallekele. Opting to bowl first on a seemingly docile pitch, Sri Lanka had no inkling of the onslaught that awaited them. Glenn Maxwell emerged as the chief protagonist, launching a jaw-dropping assault on the Sri Lankan bowling attack, amassing an unbelievable 145* off just 65 balls, including a staggering 23 boundaries. Alongside him, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, and Travis Head contributed significantly, maintaining strike rates exceeding 160, leaving Sri Lanka at a loss for answers.

Despite their best efforts, Sri Lanka could only muster a response of 178/9, a testament to their spirited endeavors. However, the match’s indelible memory would forever be etched with Glenn Maxwell’s extraordinary innings, which propelled Australia to a record-breaking performance on that momentous day.