England Etch Name In Highest T20I Innings Record Books Vs South Africa; Check Full List

Soumyajit Dutta

Phil Salt and Zimbabwe cricket team [Source: @lilbrownykid/X.com]Phil Salt and Zimbabwe cricket team [Source: @lilbrownykid/X.com]

T20I cricket is the shortest format of the game; however, this format boasts some of the biggest runs that an ODI or Test inning sometimes fails to bag. On September 12, a historic knock from Phil Salt led to a massive record for England in T20Is.

England totalled a massive 304 runs from their 20 overs against South Africa in the 2nd T20I of the three-match series. However, this total is not the highest, and there have been teams with much better scores to top the list. Hence, let's take a look at some of the highest totals in T20I cricket.

5) 286 runs (Zimbabwe vs Seychelles)

Zimbabwe smashed their way into the T20I record books with a breathtaking batting display against Seychelles in the Sub Regional Africa Qualifier at Nairobi on October 19, 2024. Posting a colossal 286/5 in 20 overs, Zimbabwe registered one of the highest team totals in T20I history. 

Brian Bennett led the charge with a sensational 91 off just 35 balls, while Tadiwanashe Marumani hammered 86 from 37 deliveries. Skipper Sikandar Raza added late fireworks with a rapid 36*. In reply, Seychelles were restricted to just 18/2 under the DLS method, as Zimbabwe sealed a thumping 76-run victory.

4) 297 runs (India vs Bangladesh)

India’s batting fireworks reached historic heights in the 3rd T20I against Bangladesh at Hyderabad on October 12, 2024, as they piled up a record 297/6 in 20 overs, one of the highest totals in T20I history. Sanju Samson led the charge with a blistering 111 off just 47 balls, while captain Suryakumar Yadav smashed 75 off 35. 

Riyan Parag (34 off 13) and Hardik Pandya (47 off 18) added late fireworks to push India close to the 300-mark. Bangladesh faltered under the pressure, finishing on 164/7, handing India a massive 133-run win in a landmark high-scoring encounter.

3) 304 runs (England vs South Africa)

Phil Salt blazed through with the bat against South Africa in the 2nd T20I of the tri-match series on September 12 to register their name in the top three of the listicle. England smashed a colossal 304/2, the highest team total in men’s T20I history. 

Phil Salt lit up Old Trafford with an unbeaten 141 off just 60 balls, while Jos Buttler (83 off 30) and Harry Brook (41* off 21) piled on the carnage. England’s batting fireworks left South Africa stunned as they folded for 158 in 16.1 overs, handing the hosts a 146-run victory. Jofra Archer starred with the ball, claiming 3/25, as England sealed a record-breaking win in emphatic style.

2) 314 runs (Nepal vs Mongolia)

Nepal etched their name in the second place of T20I record books at the Asian Games in Hangzhou 2023, hammering a mammoth 314/3 against Mongolia which was the highest team total in men’s T20I history at the time. 

Kushal Malla stole the show with a blistering 137* off just 50 balls, while Dipendra Singh Airee made history by smashing a 9-ball fifty, the fastest in T20Is. Mongolia, overwhelmed by Nepal’s batting assault, were bundled out for just 41 in 13.1 overs, as Nepal registered a record-breaking 273-run win.

1) 344 runs (Zimbabwe vs Gambia)

The top of the list is claimed by Zimbabwe with their 344 run blitz against Gambia in the Sub Regional Africa Qualifier. Captain Sikandar Raza lit up the stage with a blistering 133 off just 43 balls*, hammering 15 sixes and 7 fours, while Clive Madande (53 off 17)* and Tadiwanashe Marumani (62 off 19) added to the carnage.

In reply, Gambia folded for just 54 in 14.4 overs, as Richard Ngarava (3/13) and Brandon Mavuta (3/10) ripped through their batting. Zimbabwe clinched a thumping 290-run win, the biggest margin of victory in men’s T20I history, with Sikandar Raza named Player of the Match.