T20 International cricket has effectively revolutionised the sport, as time and again it has witnessed some of the most thrilling encounters with astonishing shots, toe-crushing bowling and nail-biting finishes.
The most thrilling aspect of T20I Cricket is the teams piling up spectacular numbers on the board while the opponent team strives to change the target in the limited overs format, leaving the spectators with electrifying moments.
High-scoring T20I encounters have always brought out the fun aspect of cricket, with batsmen scoring boundaries with a high average. Over the years, many national teams have set up unrealistic targets in the T20I format.
The T20I format is famous for the duel between the players as the batsmen strike the ball across the park as bowlers try to deceive them to dismiss their wickets.
In this article, we’ll check out the highest scores in T20I by a team as they have set the cricket fraternity ablaze with their spectacular performances and unrealistic numbers while setting new records.
Highest T20I score by a Team
Afghanistan 278/3
The Afghanistan cricket team leads the list of the highest scores in T20I by a team as they scored 278 runs against Ireland on 23 February 2019 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Dehradun as both teams came to India for their tour.
The match commenced with Afghanistan, choosing to bat first and their opening batsman Hazratullah Zazai scored 162* runs over just 62 deliveries with a whooping strike rate of 261.29. With the support of Usman Ghani’s 73 runs, The Afghanistan cricket team reached the score of 278 runs with the loss of just three wickets. The remarkable target became the highest score in a T20 international by a team.
Unfortunately, The Ireland cricket team failed to chase the target and could only manage to score 196 runs in 20 overs and the Afghanistan Cricket team won the match by 84 runs. This game gave the other national teams hope to give exemplary performances in the shortest format of the sport.
Czech Republic 278/4
The historical target was repeated once again in the same year in 2019 by The Czech Republic cricket team during their match against Turkey on 30 August 2019 during the Continental Cup tournament as they tied with Afghanistan to become the highest scorers in T20 International.
The match began with the Czech Republic cricket team batting first as their opening batsman Sumit Pokhriyal scored 79 runs and their middle order batsman Sudesh Wickramasekara scored a brilliant century with 104 runs. The Czech Republic cricket team gave the Turkish cricket team a target of 279 runs with the loss of just four wickets.
The historic match became famous in the cricket fraternity as the Czech Republic team dismissed the entire Turkish batting order within just 8.3 overs they managed to score only 21 runs. The Czech Republic cricket team won the match by 257 runs.
Australia 263/3
The Australian cricket team has always backed power hitters for their T20 squad that have given them some of the highest team scores in T20. Australia visited Sri Lanka for their tour in 2016. During the team’s 1st T20I game on 6 September 2016, the Australian cricket team made their highest T20 score in international cricket.
The Sri Lanka cricket team invited Australia to bat first on their home ground in Kandy. The Sri Lankan bowlers were not ready to witness the rat of Glenn Maxwell as he made 145 runs over 65 deliveries with a strike rate of 223.07. The team collectively put 263 runs on the board with a loss of three wickets.
The Sri Lanka cricket team could only manage to score 178 runs in the 20 overs and Australia won the match by 85 runs.
Sri Lanka 260/6
The Sri Lanka cricket team stands in fourth place in the list of the highest scores in T20I by a team as they scored 260 runs against Kenya on 14 September 2007 during the group stage of the first ever ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2007.
Kenya chose to bat first and the Sri Lankan batting order collectively put 260 runs on the board with the loss of six wickets, which is one of the highest scores in T20 International cricket, as Sanath Jayasuriya and Mahela Jayawardene scored 88 and 65 runs respectively.
With a low average, the Kenya cricket team got dismissed in 19.3 overs after scoring 88 runs and Sri Lanka won the match by 172 runs.
India 260/5
The Indian cricket team is renowned for their destructive batsmen, who dominate world-class bowling attacks, as they rule every format of the sport. The Indian cricket team made their highest score in a T20 international against Sri Lanka on 22 December 2017, in Indore.
Sri Lanka chose to field first and the current all format Indian captain, Rohit Sharma played a brilliant knock of 118 runs over just 43 deliveries with a strike rate of 274.41 as he smashed 12 fours and 10 sixes with the support of KL Rahul’s 89 runs to make India reach a total of 260 after losing five wickets.
The Indian bowlers dismissed the Sri Lanka batting lineup for 172 runs and 17.2 overs and won the match by 88 runs.
Czech Republic 258/2
The Czech Republic cricket team repeated history as their batsmen yet again made one of the highest scores in T20 international cricket. The Czech Republic cricket team met the Bulgarian cricket team during the Valletta Cup on 12 May 2022.
The Czech Republic chose to bat first and their opening batsmen Sabawoon Davizi and Dylan Steyn scored 115 and 106 runs with a 190+ strike rate respectively to make the team reach their second highest team score in the T20 international of 258 runs after the loss of two wickets.
Bulgaria could only manage to score 170 runs at the end of 20 overs and Czech Republic won the match by 88 runs.
Denmark 256/5
The Denmark cricket team played the sixth match of the group 1 stage of the ICC men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Region against Gibraltar on 29 June 2022 in Waterloo and gained the seventh spot on the list of highest scores in T20I by a team.
The Denmark cricket team choose to bat first and their opening batsman Nicolaj Laegsgaard scored 91 runs with a strike rate of 216.66 to make the team reach a total of 256 runs after the loss of five wickets.
The Gibraltar cricket team could only manage to score 124 runs and Denmark won the match by 132 runs.
New Zealand 254/5
New Zealand is one of the few teams to visit Scotland for a tour, only to create history and make their highest total in T20 International. New Zealand played the second T20 match of the series against Scotland on 29 July 2022 in Edinburgh.
New Zealand chose to bat first and then middle order batsmen Mark Chapman and Michael Bracewell scored 81 and 63 runs respectively to make New Zealand reach a total of 254 runs after the loss of five wickets.
The Scotland cricket team could only manage to score 152 Runs at the end of 20 overs and New Zealand won the match by 102 runs.
Scotland 252/3
Scotland became a member of the list of highest T20 scores by a team in 2019 as they scored 252 runs against the Netherlands on 16 September 2019 in Dublin during the tri-nation series between Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands.
The Netherlands chose to field first and the Scottish batsman George Munsey scored 127 runs with the support of his fellow opening batsman Kyle Coetzer’s 89 runs. Scotland scored 252 runs at the end of 20 overs after losing three wickets.
The Netherlands cricket team could only manage to score 194 runs and Scotland won the match by 58 runs.
Australia 248/6
In a thrilling encounter in the mini Ashes, Australia visited England and Scotland for their tour and played their first T20 match on 29 August 2013 in Southampton as they registered their second highest score in a T20 international.
England chose to field first, and the Australian opening batsman and former captain Aaron Finch scored 156 runs over 63 deliveries with a strike rate of 247.61 while hitting 11 fours and 14 sixes. The Australian cricket team reached a total of 248 runs after losing six wickets.
The English cricket team could only manage to score 209 at the end of 20 overs and Australia won the match by 39 runs.
FAQ
What is the highest team total in T20Is?
The Afghanistan Cricket Team holds the record for the highest team score in T20I of 278 runs. The team scored a mammoth total against Ireland in 2019.
What is highest total by India in T20Is?
India’s highest total in T20 internationals is 260 for 5 and it came against Sri Lanka on 22 December 2017.
