In T20I cricket, where the action is fast and thrilling, records are often broken. Among these records, huge match totals are especially impressive. These high-scoring games show just how exciting the format can be.
Let’s explore the five highest match totals ever recorded in T20I history.
5. Afghanistan vs Ireland – 472 runs, 2019
Afghanistan vs Ireland
In February 2019 at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Dehradun, Afghanistan and Ireland combined to score 472 runs in a T20I match. Afghanistan batted first, with Hazratullah Zazai scoring a huge 162 runs from just 62 balls, hitting 11 boundaries and 16 sixes. Usman Ghani added 73 runs from 48 balls, and Mohammad Nabi chipped in with a quick 17 from 5 balls. Afghanistan ended their 20 overs with a massive total of 278-3.
Ireland, in reply, scored 194-6 but fell 84 runs short of their target. Captain Paul Stirling was the top scorer with 91 runs from 50 balls, sharing a 126-run opening partnership with Kevin O’Brien in under 12 overs. The combined total of runs was approaching 500, but Rashid Khan from Afghanistan managed to slow down the scoring by taking four wickets.
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4. Bulgaria vs Serbia – 488 runs, 2022
In the 2022 Sofia Twenty20 Cup, Bulgaria and Serbia scored a combined 488 runs in a single T20I match at Sofia’s National Sports Academy. Serbia batted first and made 242-4 in 20 overs. Leslie Dunbar, batting third, hit 11 sixes in his 50-ball innings of 117 runs. This followed a 66-run partnership between Wintley Burton and Alexander Dizija, who also scored a half-century.
Despite the huge target, Bulgaria achieved an incredible victory with six wickets and two balls to spare, making it one of the highest successful run-chases in T20I history.
Saim Hussain played with a strike-rate of nearly 300, hitting seven sixes and four fours in his 24-ball 71. Kevin D’Souza, batting fourth, scored 66 off 27 balls to lead Bulgaria to victory in the final over.
3. New Zealand vs Australia – 488 runs, 2018
In a 38.5-over match at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand and Australia scored a total of 488 runs during the 2018 Trans-Tasman T20I game. New Zealand batted first after winning the toss. Martin Guptill scored a century off 49 balls, and Colin Munro made a quick 76 off 33 balls. Their partnership of 132 runs helped New Zealand reach a big total of 244-6 in their 20 overs.
Australia’s openers, David Warner and D’Arcy Short, responded with a strong partnership of 121 runs in just 8.3 overs. Warner hit 59 off 24 balls, and Short scored 76 off 44 balls. Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Finch also contributed with quick 30s, each scoring at over 220 strike-rate. Australia chased down the target with nine balls remaining, setting a new record.
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2. West Indies vs India – 489 runs, 2016
In August 2016, West Indies and India played a thrilling, high-scoring T20 match at Lauderhill’s Central Broward Regional Park Stadium. West Indies set up their big score with a strong start from openers Johnson Charles and Evin Lewis, who put together a 126-run partnership in just 9.3 overs. Charles scored 79 off 33 balls, and Lewis made a century from 49 balls, helping West Indies reach 245-6.
When India batted, Rohit Sharma played aggressively, scoring 62 runs from just 28 balls, despite losing two key players early. KL Rahul continued the strong performance, making 110 not out from 51 balls, including 12 fours and 5 sixes.
MS Dhoni added 43 quick runs and brought India close to victory, but he was dismissed on the last ball by Dwayne Bravo, giving West Indies a one-run win. This match saw a total of 489 runs, making it the highest-scoring T20I game for almost seven years.
1. South Africa vs West Indies – 517 runs, 2023
In March 2023, SuperSport Park in Centurion saw a historic T20I cricket match during the West Indies tour of South Africa. The game featured the highest-ever total of 500 runs in a T20I, with the teams scoring a combined 517 runs. This match set several records that still stand today.
The West Indies batted first and scored 258 runs. Kyle Mayers made 51 runs from 27 balls, and Johnson Charles hit 118 runs off 46 balls, including many sixes. Romario Shepherd added 41 not out from 18 balls to finish their innings.
In reply, Quinton de Kock led South Africa with a century off 44 balls. Reeza Hendricks also contributed with 68 runs from just 28 balls, helping South Africa win in 18.5 overs.
This match not only set the record for the highest total runs but also for the biggest successful run-chase in T20I history. Additionally, it featured a world record of 35 sixes and 81 boundaries in total.
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