Highest Score in T20 Cricket: All Time Record Totals

T20 cricket is all about aggression, speed, and fireworks. In a format where teams get just 120 deliveries, it’s astonishing how some sides have turned those balls into mountains of runs, redefining the art of limited-overs batting. While 180 used to be a winning total, modern cricket has seen scores exceeding 250 and even 300 in T20 Internationals (T20Is).

In this article, we explore the highest score in T20 cricket, focusing on the top five team totals ever recorded. We’ll break down the key contributors, analyze what led to these explosive totals, and reflect on how T20 cricket has evolved into a boundary-hitting spectacle.

Full List of Highest Scores in T20 Cricket

*Last Updated: 20th July, 2025

Quick Summary: Top 5 Highest Scores in T20I Cricket

1. Zimbabwe – 344/3 vs Gambia (2024)

Where: African Games, Lilongwe
When: 17 March 2024

Zimbabwe rewrote the record books by smashing 344/3, now the highest-ever team total in T20 Internationals. Their innings was a display of explosive batting, game awareness, and unrelenting momentum from start to finish.

Key Highlights:

• Sikandar Raza delivered a destructive knock of 131 off just 43 balls, peppered with 13 sixes and a strike rate exceeding 300.
• Wessly Madhevere hammered 98 off 38, narrowly missing out on a century but ensuring the foundation was rock solid.
• Zimbabwe scored over 100 runs in the final five overs, pushing Gambia completely out of the contest.
• The innings included 20+ sixes, massive partnerships, and the fastest team 300 ever achieved in international cricket.

Why It Mattered:

This match was more than just a blowout—it was a signal of Zimbabwe’s resurgence. Against a lower-ranked Gambia side, they showcased the gap in professionalism, preparation, and execution. The score of 344/3 broke Nepal’s short-lived record and opened up a new frontier in T20I scoring.

“T20 cricket may never be the same again. That’s how you set a world record!” — Commentator during live coverage.

Bonus Insight:

Want to see how the tables can turn in T20 cricket? Check out Lowest Scores in IPL History — the format’s beauty lies in both extremes.

2. Nepal – 314/3 vs Mongolia (2023)

Where: Asian Games, Hangzhou
Where: 27 September 2023

Nepal shattered all previous records with a gigantic 314/3, becoming the first-ever team to cross 300 runs in a T20 International. It was not just a record — it was a revolution.

Key Highlights:

• Kushal Malla smashed a century in just 34 balls, the fastest in T20I history.
• Dipendra Singh Airee played the most explosive cameo ever — 52* in just 10 balls, with a strike rate of 520.
• Nepal hit 26 sixes, the most ever in a T20I innings.

Why It Mattered:

This wasn’t just about runs — it showcased Nepal’s emergence on the world cricketing map. The game was against a weak Mongolian side, but the execution and intent were world-class. It proved that T20 records were no longer limited to traditional powerhouses.

“It felt like watching a video game unfold in real life.” — A fan on social media

3. India – 297/6 vs Bangladesh (2024)

Where: Sylhet International Cricket Stadium
When: 6 March 2024

Team India unleashed a batting masterclass, posting 297/6, their highest-ever T20I total and the third-highest in history. It was a night of boundary carnage, driven by a mixture of youthful flair and veteran experience.

Key Highlights:

• Yashasvi Jaiswal blazed to a 49-ball century, carving through the field with power and precision.
• Rinku Singh added late-innings firepower, smashing 68* off just 25 balls.
• India hit 19 sixes in total and scored 90+ runs in the last six overs.
• The team crossed 100 in the first 9 overs, showing intent from the get-go.

Why It Mattered:

India’s near-300 total came on a tricky surface, making the feat even more stunning. It was a warning shot ahead of the T20 World Cup, emphasizing India’s deep bench strength and adaptability under pressure.

“It wasn’t just a win—it was a statement,” wrote several major sports portals post-match.

4. Zimbabwe – 286/5 vs Seychelles (2024)

Where: T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier, Benoni
When: 20 February 2024

Zimbabwe lit up the qualifiers with an astonishing 286/5—a total that was both dominating and clinical. This innings remains one of the most efficient high-scoring T20 performances ever.

Key Highlights:

• Tadiwanashe Marumani hammered 112 off 47 balls, anchoring the innings with sheer aggression.
• Zimbabwe maintained a run rate above 14 for most of the innings.
• Seychelles had no answer to the pace and spin counterattack Zimbabwe executed.
• The innings featured 17 sixes, smart running, and intelligent placement—true all-round T20 batting.

Why It Mattered:

While some may dismiss this as a mismatch, Zimbabwe’s professionalism and ruthlessness were the story. It proved they are not just chasing records—they are building confidence ahead of global tournaments.

Fans dubbed it “a powerplay of powerplay cricket.”

5. India – 283/1 vs South Africa (2023)

Where: Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram
When: 21 December 2023

India’s top order delivered perfection, finishing with 283/1, losing only a single wicket. The innings was a celebration of timing, brute force, and composure.

Key Highlights:

• Shubman Gill struck an unbeaten 128 off 51 balls with 10 sixes.
• Suryakumar Yadav provided fireworks from the other end, scoring 92* off 32 in typical SKY fashion.
• Their 180-run unbeaten partnership came at a mind-numbing strike rate of over 240.
• South Africa had no control over the run flow, and no bowler finished with an economy under 12.

Why It Mattered:

This innings is remembered not just for the numbers but for the style and smoothness of execution. A near-flawless display against a top-tier side added weight to India’s claim as T20 leaders.

“Like a symphony of sixes,” one fan tweeted during the chase.

Common Patterns Behind These Mammoth Scores

While the opponents, stadiums, and players differed, the underlying factors were largely the same:

Power-Hitters at the Top

Teams like Afghanistan and Nepal relied on explosive openers who went after the bowling from ball one.

Weak Bowling Attacks

Most of these records came against teams with inexperienced bowling units that leaked runs through poor line and length.

Extras Galore

In matches like the Czech Republic vs Turkey and Sri Lanka vs Kenya, extras contributed heavily, sometimes over 30–40 runs, which can completely change the game.

Short Boundaries & Fast Outfields

Stadiums like Pallekele and Hangzhou offered conditions where even mishits cleared the ropes.

Mental Domination

Once a team crosses 200, bowling sides often collapse mentally, allowing scores to soar.

Where Could We Go From Here?

The big question: Can we see a 350-run innings in T20 cricket?

With improving fitness, stronger bats, deeper batting lineups, and fearless intent, it’s possible. Teams like England, West Indies, and Nepal are now aiming for 12–15 runs per over across the innings.

If we see a flat pitch, short boundaries, and a weak bowling attack, a 350-run game is just one crazy innings away.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the highest score in T20 International cricket?

The highest T20I score is 344/7, achieved by Zimbabwe against Gambia on 2 March 2024 during the T20 World Cup Africa Qualifiers.

Has 300 been scored in T20?

Yes, two times. Zimbabwe (344) & Nepal (314) have crossed the 300-run mark in T20 Internationals, a feat once thought nearly impossible in the shortest format.

What is India’s highest score in T20I cricket?

India’s highest T20I total is 297/6 against Bangladesh, scored in March 2024 in Sylhet. They also posted 283/1 against South Africa in December 2023.

Are these high scores mostly against weaker teams?

Not always. While some came against developing cricket nations like Gambia and Seychelles, teams like India scored massive totals against top-ranked teams like South Africa and Bangladesh.

Final Thoughts

T20 cricket continues to evolve, and so do the boundaries of what we consider a high score. From Zimbabwe’s record-breaking 344 to India’s elite dominance, every entry in this list tells a story of innovation, aggression, and the future of cricket.

As batting gets more fearless and strategies become more data-driven, these numbers will only grow. Whether you’re a stat-lover or just a fan of sixes, keep your eyes peeled because the next record might come sooner than you think.