T20 International (T20I) cricket is renowned for its big scores, rapid runs, and non-stop action. In this format, teams often play with full power, and records are broken very quickly. The highest T20I score to date is 344/4, achieved by Zimbabwe against Gambia in 2024.
Zimbabwe, Nepal, and England are the only three teams that have completed the 300-run mark in T20Is. Nepal scored 314/3 against Mongolia, and England made 304/2 against South Africa.
In this article, we look at the top 10 highest T20I scores and how these record-breaking matches changed the way we see T20 cricket today.
Top 10 Highest Scores in T20I Innings
Here are the top 10 highest scores scored by teams. India and Zimbabwe are the only two teams that have scored 250+ runs twice in this format.
| Rank | Team | Score | RR | Opposition | Ground | Result | Match Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zimbabwe | 344/4 | 17.2 | Gambia | Nairobi (Ruaraka) | Won | 23 October 2024 |
| 2 | Nepal | 314/3 | 15.7 | Mongolia | Hangzhou | Won | 27 September 2023 |
| 3 | England | 304/2 | 15.2 | South Africa | Manchester | Won | 12 September 2025 |
| 4 | India | 297/6 | 14.85 | Bangladesh | Hyderabad | Won | 12 October 2024 |
| 5 | Zimbabwe | 286/5 | 14.3 | Seychelles | Nairobi (Gym) | Won | 19 October 2024 |
| 6 | India | 283/1 | 14.15 | South Africa | Johannesburg | Won | 15 November 2024 |
| 7 | Afghanistan | 278/3 | 13.9 | Ireland | Dehradun | Won | 23 February 2019 |
| 8 | Czech Rep. | 278/4 | 13.9 | Turkey | Ilfov County | Won | 30 August 2019 |
| 9 | Nigeria | 271/4 | 13.55 | Ivory Coast | Abuja | Won | 24 November 2024 |
| 10 | Malaysia | 268/4 | 13.4 | Thailand | Hangzhou | Won | 02 October 2023 |
1. Zimbabwe: 344 Runs Against Gambia
Zimbabwe completely dominated Gambia in a one-sided T20 clash. After winning the toss, Zimbabwe decided to bat, and it turned out to be carnage for Gambia. In ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Africa Qualifier Group B, 2024, Zimbabwe posted an all-time high T20I score of 344/4 in 20 overs at an astonishing run rate of 17.20.
Sikandar Raza was the star, smashing 133 off 43 balls with 15 sixes, while Clive Madande added a quickfire 53* off 17. Tadiwanashe Marumani also scored a blazing 62 from just 19 balls. In reply, Gambia collapsed for just 54 in 14.4 overs. Richard Ngarava led with 3/13, while Brandon Mavuta picked 3/10 and Wessly Madhevere grabbed 2/7. Except for Andre Jarju (12), none of Gambia’s batters could reach double-digit numbers. As a result, Zimbabwe secured a massive 290-run victory, marking the most dominant wins in T20I history by runs.
2. Nepal: 314 Runs Against Mongolia
Nepal produced a record-breaking performance against Mongolia in the Asian Games Men’s T20I 2023. Mongolia won the toss and invited Nepal to bat first. Batting first, Nepal couldn’t capitalize on the power play and could score only 66/2 after 7.2 overs.
After losing the 2nd wicket, captain Rohit Paudel joined Kushal Malla, and they smashed 314/3 in 20 overs. Nepal’s innings was powered by Kushal Malla’s stunning 137* off just 50 balls, Roht Paudel’s 61 off 27, and Dipendra Singh Airee’s explosive 52* from only 10 deliveries.
In response, Mongolia was bowled out for a mere 41 runs in 13.1 overs. Karan KC (2/1), Abinash Bohara (2/2), and Sandeep Lamichhane (2/7) were outstanding with the ball. The Mongolian batting lineup struggled throughout, with extras (23) being their top contribution. Nepal secured a record 273-run victory, the 2nd largest in T20I history in terms of runs.
3. England: 304 Runs Against South Africa
In 2nd T20I against South Africa, England delivered a batting masterclass, piling up 304/2 in their 20 overs. First Jos Buttler 83 off 30 (8 fours and 7 sixes), later Phil Salt stole the show with a breathtaking 141 from 60 balls, smashing 15 fours and eight sixes.
While skipper Harry Brook added 41* off 21 to power England past the 300 mark. It was the 1st time that a team crossed the 300-run milestone against a full-member team in T20Is. Four South African bowlers conceded 50+ runs during bowling.
Chasing a mammoth total, South Africa faltered under the scoreboard pressure and were bowled out for 158 in 16.1 overs. Aiden Markram (41 off 20) and Bjorn Fortuin (32 off 16) tried to fight back, but wickets kept tumbling. Jofra Archer starred with 3/25, while Sam Curran and Liam Dawson chipped in with two wickets each. England sealed a commanding 146-run victory, the highest for England in T20Is.
4. India: 297 Runs Against Bangladesh
India outclassed Bangladesh in the 3rd T20I at Hyderabad with a massive 133-run win. The Indian team was in a transitional phase with a new opening pair and captain following their victory in the T20I World Cup 2024.
Batting first, India piled up 297/6 in 20 overs at an explosive run rate of 14.85. The opener and wicketkeeper Sanju Samson was the star, blasting 111 off 47 balls, while skipper Suryakumar Yadav hammered 75 off 35. Quick cameos from Riyan Parag (34 off 13) and Hardik Pandya (47 off 18) lifted India to a near 300 total.
Chasing 298, Bangladesh never found momentum and managed only 164/7. Towhid Hridoy fought hard with 63* off 42, and Litton Das also scored 42, but wickets kept tumbling. Ravi Bishnoi (3/30) and Mayank Yadav (2/32) led India’s attack. With this dominant performance, India secured the series as well.
5. Zimbabwe: 286 Runs Against Seychelles
Zimbabwe crushed Seychelles by 76 runs (DLS method) in a rain-hit match. Zimbabwe put on a batting display, amassing 286/5 in 20 overs. They both faced each other in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Africa Qualifier Group B, 2024. Brian Bennett smashed 91 off 35 balls with eight fours and seven sixes, while Tadiwanashe Marumani hammered 86 from 37 deliveries. Captain Sikandar Raza added a rapid 36* off 13, and Ryan Burl struck 23 off 11 to ensure a massive total.
After Zimbabwe’s innings, rain interrupted the match, and with a revised target of 95 in 6.1 overs, Seychelles scored only 18/2. Zimbabwe’s bowlers gave nothing away as they secured a commanding win, highlighting the gulf in class between the two sides.
6. India: 283 Runs Against South Africa
India continued their dream run after becoming champions of the T20 World Cup 2024, where they crushed South Africa in a dominant T20 performance. Indian batters delivered a dominating batting performance in the fourth T20I during their tour of South Africa, scoring 283 runs while losing only one wicket.
India’s all three batters scored runs, where Sanju Samson (109* off 56), Tilak Varma (120* off 47), and Abhishek Sharma scored 36 off 18. Despite the Proteas using seven bowlers, none could stop India’s batting onslaught.
Chasing 284, South Africa faltered early and lost Hendricks, Rickelton, Markram, and Klaasen cheaply to slip to 10/4. Tristan Stubbs (43) and David Miller (36) tried to steady things, while Marco Jansen’s quick 29* provided some fight, but the team folded for 148 in 18.2 overs. Arshdeep Singh (3/20), Axar Patel (2/6), and Varun Chakravarthy (2/42) shone as India sealed a 135-run victory.
7. Afghanistan: 278 Runs Against Ireland
In the Afghanistan vs Ireland 2019 Series in India, Afghanistan outpowered Ireland with a commanding batting display in a high-scoring T20 encounter. Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bat first. Afghanistan posted a massive 278/3 in 20 overs. Hazratullah Zazai scored a daddy hundred with a breathtaking unbeaten 162 off 62 balls, smashing 11 fours and a record-breaking 16 sixes. Usman Ghani added solid support with 73 from 48.
While chasing, Ireland started strongly and didn’t bother under the big total run chase. Their explosive opener, Paul Stirling’s 91 off 50, and Kevin O’Brien’s 37 started the inning with a 126-run opening stand. However, Rashid Khan turned the game, claiming 4/25 and dismantling the middle order. Despite late efforts from Simi Singh (17*) and Stuart Poynter (15*), Ireland managed 194/6 in 20 overs. Afghanistan secured an emphatic 84-run win.
8. Czech Republic: 278 Runs Against Turkey
The Czech Republic and Turkey delivered one of the biggest one-sided matches in T20I history at the 6th Match at Ilfov County, Continental Cup, Aug 30 2019.
The Czech Republic made a huge first-inning total of 278/4 in 20 overs. Sudesh Wickramasekara was the star with a blistering 104* off just 36 balls, while Sumit Pokhriyal struck a fine 79. Honey Gori (32) and Edward Knowles (16*) added handy runs, while Turkey’s bowlers leaked 39 extras to help them cross the 250-mark.
During the chase, what no one expected happened on such a batting pitch: Turkey crumbled to just 21 all out in 8.3 overs, registering one of the lowest totals. Only Mehmat Sert reached double figures with 12 runs, while five batters were dismissed for ducks. Honey Gori (3/13), Sameera Waththage (3/4), and Wickramasekara (2/0) ripped through the lineup. The Czech Republic secured a record 257-run victory, highlighting their absolute dominance.
9. Nigeria: 264 Runs Against Ivory Coast
Nigeria and the Ivory Coast faced each other in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C 2024, where Nigeria crushed the Ivory Coast by 264 runs. Nigeria scored a massive 271/4 in 20 overs. Selim Salau was the star with 112 runs from 53 balls, while Isaac Okpe smashed 65 off 23 balls. Sulaimon Runsewe also scored a quick 50, helping Nigeria set a massive target.
Chasing 272 runs, the Ivory Coast collapsed for just 7 runs in 7.3 overs, the lowest ever team’s total in a T20 international. None of their players could face double-digit balls. Isaac Danladi and Prosper Useni took three wickets each, while Peter Aho claimed two without conceding a single run.
Nigeria’s all-round dominance gave them a record-breaking victory, showing complete control in both batting and bowling.
10. Malaysia: 268 Runs Against Thailand
In the Asian Games Men’s T20I 2023 9th match, Malaysia posted a huge total of 268/4 in 20 overs against Thailand. Syed Aziz was the star of the show, smashing 126 runs off just 56 balls with 13 fours and 9 sixes. He got good support from Muhammad Amir, who hit a quickfire 55 from 25 balls, and Virandeep Singh, who added an unbeaten 30 off 12 balls. Malaysia’s aggressive batting left Thailand’s bowlers with no answers.
In reply, Thailand struggled badly and could only manage 74/9 in 20 overs. Their top scorer was captain Nopphon Senamontree with 15 runs, while no one else crossed 20. Malaysia’s bowlers were clinical, with Virandeep Singh (2/6) and Ahmad Faiz (2/8) leading the way.
Related Reads:
- Top 10 Teams With Biggest Win In ODIs By Runs
- Top 10 Players With Most Wickets In ODI History
- Zimbabwe T20I Tri-Series 2025
- IPL vs PSL (2025)
- IPL vs BBL (2025)
Conclusion: Zimbabwe Tops the Chart of Highest Runs in a T20I Inning
Zimbabwe holds the record for the most runs in a T20I innings, scoring 344/4 against Gambia. Teams like Nepal, England, and India follow it with 314/3, 304/2, and 297/6 runs, respectively. At the same time, in almost every game, the bowling sides often struggled under relentless batting pressure, resulting in one-sided outcomes.
In the top 10 list, Zimbabwe and India are the only cricket teams to appear twice. India scored 297/6 and 283/1 in the span of just one month. As the T20I format has become dominant in cricket and pitches support batting, we can expect more records to tumble in upcoming T20 international encounters.
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