T20 cricket has always been about fireworks, but in recent years, the format has reached new heights with batting lineups redefining what a ‘big score’ means. The days when 180 or 200 was considered a match-winning total are long gone. Now, teams are consistently pushing beyond the 250-run mark, and on certain batting-friendly surfaces, even the 300 barrier has been breached.
England’s historic achievement in T20Is
A fresh example of this came on September 12, 2025, when England left the cricketing world in awe by smashing 304/2 against South Africa at Old Trafford in Manchester. This wasn’t just another high-scoring game—it was a statement. Phil Salt’s breathtaking century lit up the night, ensuring England crossed the magical 300-run milestone for the first time in their T20I history.
What makes this feat more significant is the opposition. Unlike some of the other huge totals that came against associate nations still learning the ropes of international cricket, England’s effort was carved out against a top-tier team i.e. South Africa. It underlined how far white-ball cricket has evolved and how fearless modern batters have become. With that performance, England joined an exclusive club of teams to have breached the 300 mark in men’s T20 internationals. Let’s take a look at some of the highest team totals in T20I history.
Top 5 highest team totals in T20Is
1. Zimbabwe – against Gambia (October 23, 2024, Nairobi)
Sitting at the very top is Zimbabwe’s mind-boggling 344/4 against Gambia in the Africa Qualifier. It was a one-sided contest where Zimbabwe’s batters went berserk from the very first ball.
Leading the charge was captain Sikandar Raza, who produced one of the finest knocks in T20I history—an unbeaten 133 off just 43 balls. His innings included 13 boundaries and 10 towering sixes, and it went down as the second-fastest century in the format. Openers Brian Bennett (50) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (62) gave Zimbabwe a flying start before Clive Madande provided finishing touch with unbeaten 53 off 17 balls.
2. Nepal – against Mongolia (September 27, 2023, Hangzhou)
Before England’s 300-plus knock, it was Nepal who first cracked the code to reach this milestone. Their 314/3 against Mongolia at the Asian Games was historic—the first time a team ever crossed 300 in T20Is.
The hero of the day was Kushal Malla, who smashed the fastest T20I hundred at that time, finishing with 137 off 62 balls. Captain Rohit Paudel joined the party with a blistering half-century, and together they stitched a mammoth partnership that completely dismantled Mongolia’s bowlers.
3. England – against South Africa (September 12, 2025, Manchester)
England’s entry into the 300 club was nothing short of spectacular. Opener Salt played the innings of his life, hammering an unbeaten 141 off 60 balls—his fourth century in T20Is and the highest ever for an English batter in this format. His knock was a mix of timing, power, and sheer audacity.
He found the perfect partner in Jos Buttler, who blasted 83 off 30 balls. The pair stitched together a massive 126-run stand, ensuring South Africa’s bowlers were under pressure throughout. England’s acceleration was unreal—they reached 200 in just 12.1 overs, the fastest any team has ever done in T20 internationals.
What stood out was the quality of the opposition. South Africa are no pushovers, yet England’s fearless batting on a flat Old Trafford wicket made it look like child’s play.
4. India – against vs Bangladesh (October 12, 2024, Hyderabad)
India’s 297/6 against Bangladesh was another example of how batting depth and innovation can overwhelm even decent bowling attacks. The star of the night was Sanju Samson, who scored a brilliant century—111 off 47 balls—mixing elegance with power. Supporting him was skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who played with his trademark flair, adding a quickfire 75. Late cameos from Hardik Pandya (47) and Riyan Parag pushed India tantalizingly close to the 300 mark.
5. Zimbabwe – Seychelles (October 19, 2024, Nairobi)
Zimbabwe appear twice in this list, and rightly so, given their dominance in qualifiers. Their 286/5 against Seychelles was another batting exhibition where nearly every top-order player contributed. Brian Bennett’s remarkable 91 off 35 balls stood out, while Tadiwanashe Marumani added to Seychelles’ misery with his explosive knock of 86 from 37 balls. Though the opposition was inexperienced, the sheer consistency with which Zimbabwe piled on these mammoth totals in qualifiers showed their determination to dominate associate cricket.
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