Twenty20 cricket is beyond fairytale it has offered us some thrilling contests since 2007. To talk about the teams with the highest T20 score, Australia has ruled the top ten chart on three occasions. In addition, the world cricket governing body International Cricket Council (ICC) has organized six Twenty20 World Cups with Windies clinching two in 2012 and 2016 respectively. And during this phase, we’ve also witnessed the teams with the highest T20 score in such an International fold.
Moreover, Indian National Cricket Team won the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup in 2007 against Pakistan National Cricket Team. However, the Men in Green thrashed Sri Lanka by eight wickets at London in 2009 to lift their first T20 World Cup Trophy. In 2010, England bagged the trophy at Bridgetown Barbados against Australia by seven wickets.
In 2014, Sri Lanka thrashed India by six wickets at Dhaka.
Let’s have a close look at the teams with the highest T20 score:
- Australia vs Sri Lanka at Pallekele (263/3):
Following the brilliance of Glenn Maxwell on top Australia managed to achieve their highest-ever Twenty20 International total at Kandy on September 6, 2016, against Dinesh Chandimal-led Sri Lanka National Cricket Team.
During the tour of Island Nation, Australia National Cricket Team received a severe beating in the Test series, but they had all bases covered in the limited-overs circuit. They top the teams with the Highest T20 score.
In the first T20I of the Lankan tour, hard-hitting sensation Maxwell played a gem of an innings. The right-handed batsman scored 65-ball 145 at the strike-rate of 223.07. His blazing knock was laced with nine maximums and 14 fours.
Following the significant contribution from Travis Head, Usman Khawaja and the then skipper David Warner, Australia registered the target of 264 for the Lions.
However, in response, Sri Lanka managed to score 178 for nine in 20 overs. Thus, hosts lost the game by 85 runs.
- Sri Lanka vs Kenya at Johannesburg (260/6):
During the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup in South Africa, Sri Lanka recorded the highest T20 score as a team against lowly Kenya at Johannesburg.
On September 14, 2007, the Lankan Lions roared to score 260 for six during the Group C game. Under the leadership of Mahela Jayawardene, Lanka batted first which further saw brilliant half-century each from Sanath Jayasuriya (88), and skipper Jayawardene (65) himself.
Sri Lanka had a shaky start when they lost reliable batter Upul Tharanga at his score of 10. However, Jayasuriya accelerated the innings alongside wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara before Jehan Mubarak finished off innings in style after remaining unbeaten on 13-ball 46.
- India vs Sri Lanka at Indore (260/5):
India had blown away Sri Lanka at Indore on December 22, 2017. With the help of Rohit Sharma’s outrageous knock, Team India put 260 for five on the board to become one of the teams with highest T20 score.
Interestingly, Rohit who was leading the Men in Blue in the absence of regular skipper Virat Kohli grabbed the opportunity with both hands. After all, he has a liking to score the bulk of the runs against Lanka.
The classic top-order batsman Rohit smashed 118 off 43 balls. During his 61-minute stay at the crease, Rohit smashed ten sixes and 12 fours which further saw read his strike-rate as 274.41.
Apart from Rohit, young prospect KL Rahul scored 49-ball 89 which further comprised of eight sixes and five fours.
However, Sri Lanka in response falls short of 88 runs as the visitors were bundled out on 172 in 17.2 overs. Yuzvendra Chahal bagged four scalps after conceding 52 runs in four overs as Kuldeep Yadav walked away with three wickets.
- Australia vs England at Southampton (248/6):
This time Australia took on England to pummel English bowlers at Southampton. England is one of the top-notch teams with highest T20 score in the international set-up.
Batting first, the Kangaroos rode on the remarkable century of Aaron Finch. The top-order batsman Finch smashed 156 off just 63 deliveries at the whopping strike-rate of 247.61. He further smashed 14 sixes and 11 fours before being bowled by Jade Dernbach.
George Bailey-led Australia set a daunting target of 249 for the Three Lions. England didn’t have a good start.
However, Joe Root’s unbeaten knock of 90 kept them in the game for some time before they ran out of overs.
Eventually, England lost the game by 39 runs after posting 209 for six on the scoreboard.
- Australia vs New Zealand at Auckland (245/5):
With Australia being in some business, they registered their overall second-highest team total against arch-rivals New Zealand at Auckland on February 16, 2018.
Moreover, batting first the Kiwis posted 243 for six on board courtesy Martin Guptill’s brilliant 105 off 54 deliveries. His opening partner Colin Munro was equally up to the task to smash 33-ball 76.
In reply, a fifty each from David Warner and D’Arcy Short set up the tempo for Australia in the run chase. The visitors overhauled the target of 244 in 18.5 overs.
On the other side, Aaron Finch remained not out on 36 off 14 balls as wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey managed to score 1*.
- Windies vs India at Lauderhill (245/6):
Windies had cherished their time at Lauderhill in Florida. They registered their highest-ever T20 score against Team India led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni on 27th of August 2016.
Carlos Brathwaite-led Caribbean team batted first to post 245 for six in 20 allotted overs. Explosive young opening batsman Evin Lewis smashed 49-ball hundred as he was equally supported by his opening partner Jonathan Charles (79).
Andre Russell and Kieron Pollard managed to score 22 each as Brathwaite score unbeaten 14 off ten balls.
In response, India lost the wicket of Ajinkya Rahane at the score of 31 before Dwayne Bravo dismissed Virat Kohli on 16. But there was plenty to happen, and it came from KL Rahul who smashed unbeaten 110 off 51 balls. The crestfallen batter smashed 12 fours and five sixes during his hard-fought knock.
On the other side, Rohit Sharma scored 62 and Dhoni 43 off 25 deliveries. However, India lost the cliffhanger by merely a run.
- India vs Windies at Lauderhill (244/4):
It happened to be the same game which India lost by just a run when KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 51-ball 110. The visitors were chasing a mammoth target of 246 runs. Rahul’s innings was laced with five maximums and 12 boundaries, and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (43) equally supported him.
Moreover, Rohit Sharma smashed 28-ball 62 before being caught by Jonathan Charles on the bowling of Keiron Pollard.
In the first innings, Indian bowlers were taken to the cleaners by opening pair in the form of Evin Lewis and Charles. Lewis managed to score a fine hundred off just 49 balls. He struck nine sixes and five fours to score at the strike-rate of 204.08.
- New Zealand vs Windies at Mount Maunganui (243/5):
New Zealand’s highest-ever T20 total came at their home ground Mount Maunganui against the Windies led by T20 World Cup-winning skipper Carlos Brathwaite.
Batting first to make most of the opportunity, the Black Caps openers Martin Guptill and Colin Munro certainly made job easily for its team. Big-hitting sensation Munro blasted a century. His score further read 104 off 53 deliveries which saw ten sixes and three fours.
Moreover, Kiwis skipper scored 19 off eight balls which saw Windies had to chase down the target of 244 in 20 overs. However, the Caribbean team faltered early on by losing Chadwick Walton and Chris Gayle in the very first over of the run chase, before being rattled inside 17 overs on 124.
Also, Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Ish Sodhi shared two wickets each.
- New Zealand vs Australia at Auckland (243/6):
At Auckland, the Black Caps registered another highest T20 total on February 16, 2018, but they went on to lose the game by five wickets. Batting first Kiwis post 243 for six on board with the help of Martin Guptill’s sensational hundred. Also, Colin Munro chipped in with 33-ball 76. The Black Caps are listed among the teams with the highest T20 score.
In response, Australia chased down the target in 18.5 overs while riding on the back on skipper David Warner and D’Arcy Short. Both went on to smash a half-century each.
Pertinently, Aaron Finch’s knock turned out to be a game-changing moment when he smashed 14-ball 36. His quickfire knock was comprised of three sixes and as many fours.
- South Africa vs England at Centurion (241/6):
England’s tour to South Africa in 2009 turned out to be an instant hard for the die-hard fans of both teams. In the second T20I, batting first South Africa registered their highest team-total in the short-paced competition.
Following the brilliant opening stand of 170 between skipper Graeme Smith and Loots Bosman, the Proteas posted 241 for six in 20 overs to get featured among distinct teams with the highest T20 score.
Bosman was six runs shy away from hundred when Luke Wright dismissed him following a simple catch by James Anderson. Smith scored 88 off 44 balls before being caught by Sajid Mahmood on the bowling of Joe Denly.
In response, England batters didn’t show any promise except Jonath Trott, who scored 40-ball 51. Skipper Alastair Cook scored 26 off 21 balls. Moreover, the Three Lions could manage 157 for eight in 20 overs. In one of the clashes of teams with highest T20 score, the three Lions lost the game by 84 runs.
Here’s the table for teams with the highest T20 score:
| Serial No. | Team | Score | Overs | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
| 1 | Australia | 263/3 | 20 | v Sri Lanka | Pallekele | 6 Sep 2016 |
| 2 | Sri Lanka | 260/6 | 20 | v Kenya | Johannesburg | 14 Sep 2007 |
| 3 | India | 260/5 | 20 | v Sri Lanka | Indore | 22 Dec 2017 |
| 4 | Australia | 248/6 | 20 | v England | Southampton | 29 Aug 2013 |
| 5 | Australia | 245/5 | 18.5 | v New Zealand | Auckland | 16 Feb 2018 |
| 6 | West Indies | 245/6 | 20 | v India | Lauderhill | 27 Aug 2016 |
| 7 | India | 244/4 | 20 | v West Indies | Lauderhill | 27 Aug 2016 |
| 8 | New Zealand | 243/5 | 20 | v West Indies | Mount Maunganui | 3 Jan 2018 |
| 9 | New Zealand | 243/6 | 20 | v Australia | Auckland | 16 Feb 2018 |
| 10 | South Africa | 241/6 | 20 | v England | Centurion | 15 Nov 2009 |
| 11 | West Indies | 236/6 | 19.2 | v South Africa | Johannesburg | 11 Jan 2015 |
| 12 | Afghanistan | 233/8 | 20 | v Ireland | Greater Noida | 12 Mar 2017 |
| 13 | South Africa | 231/7 | 20 | v West Indies | Johannesburg | 11 Jan 2015 |
| 14 | England | 230/8 | 19.4 | v South Africa | Mumbai | 18 Mar 2016 |
| 15 | South Africa | 229/4 | 20 | v England | Mumbai | 18 Mar 2016 |
| 16 | Australia | 229/2 | 20 | v Zimbabwe | Harare | 3 Jul 2018 |
| 17 | Ireland | 225/7 | 20 | v Afghanistan | Abu Dhabi | 30 Nov 2013 |
| 18 | South Africa | 224/4 | 20 | v Bangladesh | Potchefstroom | 29 Oct 2017 |
| 19 | Australia | 221/5 | 20 | v England | Sydney | 9 Jan 2007 |
| 20 | Scotland | 221/3 | 20 | v Netherlands | Amstelveen | 20 Jun 2018 |
| 21 | England | 221/5 | 20 | v Australia | Birmingham | 27 Jun 2018 |
| 22 | South Africa | 219/4 | 20 | v India | Johannesburg | 30 Mar 2012 |
| 23 | India | 218/4 | 20 | v England | Durban | 19 Sep 2007 |
| 24 | Bangladesh | 215/5 | 19.4 | v Sri Lanka | Colombo (RPS) | 10 Mar 2018 |
| 25 | Sri Lanka | 215/5 | 20 | v India | Nagpur | 9 Dec 2009 |
| 26 | Sri Lanka | 215/3 | 20 | v West Indies | Pallekele | 9 Nov 2015 |
| 27 | Afghanistan | 215/6 | 20 | v Zimbabwe | Sharjah | 10 Jan 2016 |
| 28 | Australia | 214/5 | 20 | v New Zealand | Auckland | 17 Feb 2005 |
| 29 | New Zealand | 214/6 | 20 | v Australia | Christchurch | 28 Feb 2010 |
| 30 | Australia | 214/4 | 20 | v New Zealand | Christchurch | 28 Feb 2010 |
| 31 | England | 214/7 | 20 | v New Zealand | Auckland | 9 Feb 2013 |
| 32 | Sri Lanka | 214/6 | 20 | v Bangladesh | Colombo (RPS) | 10 Mar 2018 |
| 33 | Australia | 213/4 | 20 | v England | Hobart | 29 Jan 2014 |
| 34 | India | 213/4 | 20 | v Ireland | Dublin (Malahide) | 29 Jun 2018 |
| 35 | India | 211/4 | 19.1 | v Sri Lanka | Mohali | 12 Dec 2009 |
| 36 | South Africa | 211/5 | 20 | v Scotland | The Oval | 7 Jun 2009 |
| 37 | Sri Lanka | 211/3 | 20 | v Pakistan | Dubai (DSC) | 13 Dec 2013 |
| 38 | Ireland | 211/6 | 20 | v Scotland | Dubai (DSC) | 20 Jan 2017 |
| 39 | Bangladesh | 211/4 | 20 | v West Indies | Dhaka | 20 Dec 2018 |
| 40 | Afghanistan | 210/5 | 20 | v Scotland | Edinburgh | 12 Jul 2015 |
| 41 | Sri Lanka | 210/4 | 20 | v Bangladesh | Sylhet | 18 Feb 2018 |
| 42 | Australia | 209/3 | 20 | v South Africa | Brisbane | 9 Jan 2006 |
| 43 | West Indies | 209/2 | 20 | v New Zealand | Lauderhill | 30 Jun 2012 |
| 44 | England | 209/6 | 20 | v Australia | Southampton | 29 Aug 2013 |
| 45 | South Africa | 209/5 | 20 | v Afghanistan | Mumbai | 20 Mar 2016 |
| 46 | South Africa | 208/2 | 17.4 | v West Indies | Johannesburg | 11 Sep 2007 |
| 47 | West Indies | 208/8 | 20 | v England | The Oval | 28 Jun 2007 |
| 48 | India | 208/5 | 20 | v Ireland | Dublin (Malahide) | 27 Jun 2018 |
| 49 | Sri Lanka | 206/7 | 20 | v India | Mohali | 12 Dec 2009 |
| 50 | Ireland | 205 | 19.2 | v Afghanistan | Greater Noida | 12 Mar 2017 |
| 51 | West Indies | 205/6 | 20 | v South Africa | Johannesburg | 11 Sep 2007 |
| 52 | West Indies | 205/4 | 20 | v Australia | Colombo (RPS) | 5 Oct 2012 |
| 53 | Australia | 205/5 | 20 | v South Africa | Johannesburg | 6 Mar 2016 |
| 54 | Pakistan | 205/3 | 20 | v West Indies | Karachi | 2 Apr 2018 |
| 55 | Ireland | 205/5 | 20 | v Scotland | Deventer | 16 Jun 2018 |
| 56 | New Zealand | 204/5 | 20 | v Bangladesh | Dhaka | 6 Nov 2013 |
| 57 | South Africa | 204/7 | 20 | v Australia | Johannesburg | 6 Mar 2016 |
| 58 | Pakistan | 204/4 | 20 | v Scotland | Edinburgh | 12 Jun 2018 |
| 59 | Pakistan | 203/5 | 20 | v Bangladesh | Karachi | 20 Apr 2008 |
| 60 | India | 203/5 | 20 | v South Africa | Johannesburg | 18 Feb 2018 |
| 61 | Pakistan | 203/5 | 20 | v West Indies | Karachi | 1 Apr 2018 |
| 62 | New Zealand | 202/5 | 19.4 | v Zimbabwe | Hamilton | 14 Feb 2012 |
| 63 | India | 202/4 | 19.4 | v Australia | Rajkot | 10 Oct 2013 |
| 64 | England | 202/6 | 20 | v South Africa | Johannesburg | 13 Nov 2009 |
| 65 | India | 202/6 | 20 | v England | Bengaluru | 1 Feb 2017 |
| 66 | India | 202/3 | 20 | v New Zealand | Delhi | 1 Nov 2017 |
| 67 | India | 201/3 | 18.4 | v England | Bristol | 8 Jul 2018 |
| 68 | South Africa | 201/4 | 20 | v Australia | Johannesburg | 24 Feb 2006 |
| 69 | New Zealand | 201/4 | 20 | v England | The Oval | 25 Jun 2013 |
| 70 | Australia | 201/7 | 20 | v India | Rajkot | 10 Oct 2013 |
| 71 | Pakistan | 201/5 | 20 | v Bangladesh | Kolkata | 16 Mar 2016 |
| 72 | Pakistan | 201/4 | 20 | v New Zealand | Auckland | 25 Jan 2018 |
| 73 | South Africa | 200/3 | 19.4 | v India | Dharamsala | 2 Oct 2015 |
| 74 | England | 200/6 | 20 | v India | Durban | 19 Sep 2007 |
| 75 | Zimbabwe | 200/2 | 20 | v New Zealand | Hamilton | 14 Feb 2012 |
| 76 | England | 200/9 | 20 | v Australia | Hobart | 29 Jan 2014 |
| 77 | India | 200/3 | 20 | v Australia | Sydney | 31 Jan 2016 |