The record for the highest run chase in the history of the T20 World Cup belongs to England when they chased down South Africa’s mammoth 230 at the 2016 T20 World Cup. It was Joe Root’s magnificence coupled with a useful contribution from Jason Roy that took England over the line.
T20 cricket as a format is known for big runs and big sixes. But chasing a total is another cup of tea. To strike hitting the ball to all corners of the stadium right from the start of the innings and to do it at the T20 World Cup requires a different level of skill because there is additional pressure attached.
Without further ado, let’s list down the highest chase in T20 history of the World Cup and the teams that have achieved that.
List of highest run chases in T20 World Cup history
| Team | Score | Overs needed to chase | Run Rate | Opposition | Venue | Year |
| England | 230/8 | 19.4 | 11.69 | West Indies | Mumbai | 2017 |
| South Africa | 208/2 | 17.4 | 11.77 | West Indies | Johannesburg | 2007 |
| Australia | 197/7 | 19.5 | 9.93 | Pakistan | Gros Islet | 2010 |
| USA | 197/3 | 17.4 | 11.15 | Canada | Dallas | 2024 |
| West Indies | 196/3 | 19.4 | 9.96 | India | Mumbai | 2016 |
| Netherlands | 193/4 | 13.5 | 13.95 | Ireland | Sylhet | 2014 |
| England | 190/4 | 19.2 | 9.82 | Sri Lanka | Chattogram | 2014 |
| Australia | 186/5 | 19.4 | 9.45 | Scotland | Gros Islet | 2024 |
| West Indies | 183/4 | 18.1 | 10.07 | England | Mumbai | 2016 |
| England | 181/2 | 17.3 | 10.34 | West Indies | Gros Islet | 2024 |
England – 230/8 vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2016
England, having elected to field first were in for a rude shock when fifties from Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock and JP Duminy got South Africa to a mountain of a score of 229 for 4 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. But the England batters were going to get bogged down. Jason Roy walked in swinging for the hills smashing 43 off 16 balls, before Joe Root thrashed his way to an 83 off just 44 balls as England won the high-scoring thriller with two balls to spare and my two wickets.
South Africa – 208/2 vs West Indies, T20 World Cup 2007
This run chase came in the very first match of the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup in 2007 in Johannesburg. Chris Gayle lit up the tournament with 57-ball 117 as West Indies piled on 205/6 in their 20 overs. But, Herschelle Gibbs came out and got stuck into the West Indies bowling. The opening batsman clobbered an unbeaten 90 off just 55 balls while Justin Kemp hit 46* off 22 balls as South Africa chased down the total in just 17.4 overs.
Australia – 197/7 vs Pakistan, T20 World Cup 2010
Michael Hussey’s brilliance came to the fore as he literally won a game that was unwinnable. Sent into bat in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2010, Pakistan piled up 191/6. Australia had no business of winning this game. They needed 34 runs to win off the last two overs, and 18 off the final one. But Mr Cricket was still there. He took 16 runs off the penultimate over and then went 6, 6, 4, 6 against Saeed Ajmal in the last over to seal a miraculous win and book a spot in the final for Australia.
USA – 197/3 vs Canada, T20 World Cup 2024
The latest entrant on this list and this happened in the first game of the T20 World Cup 2024. Batting first, Canada had amassed 194/5. In reply, USA were struggling big time, but Aaron Jones hammered an unbeaten 94 off just 40 balls to take the side home in Dallas. This was one of the biggest run chases in USA’s T20I history and started the 2024 edition on the right note.
West Indies – 196/3 vs India, T20 World Cup 2016
Another heartbreaker, this time for the Indian fans. At the 2016 World Cup semifinal in Mumbai, Virat Kohli’s special had taken India to 192/2. But a mixture of poor bowling and dropped catches brought West Indies back into the game. Lendl Simmons remained unbeaten on 82 off just 51 balls and Andre Russell struck 43* off 20 as West Indies chased down the target in 19.4 overs to qualify for the final.
Netherlands – 193/4 vs Ireland, T20 World Cup 2014
A jailbreak rarely seen before. Ireland had powered through to 189/4 in their 20 overs in Sylhet. Netherlands had to chase that target down in quick time to stay in contention and they came out all guns blazing. Stephen Myburg smashed 63 off just 23 balls as Netherlands chased down Ireland’s score in a mere 13.5 overs.
England – 190/4 vs Sri Lanka, T20 World Cup 2014
An Alex Hales special. Batting first, Sri Lanka posted a mammoth 189/4 in their 20 overs in Chattogram. Then came Hales, who crashed an unbeaten 116 off just 64 balls to take his side to a win with four balls to spare and by six wickets.
Australia – 186/5 vs Scotland, T20 World Cup 2024
The next highest run chase in T20 World Cup cricket happened in the 2024 edition. Scotland, looking for a place in the Super 8, posted a huge 180/5 in their 20 overs in Gros Islet. Australia started poorly losing David Warner and captain Mitchell Marsh in quick succession. But Travis Head steadied the innings and then Marcus Stoinis showed his muscle in an unbeaten 29-ball 59 that took Australia over the line in 19.4 overs and by five wickets.
West Indies – 183/4 vs England, T20 World Cup 2016
Another record broken at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Batting first, England had thrashed 182/6, but West Indies were in no mood to give up. Chris Gayle came out and hit 100* off just 48 balls as West Indies chased down the target in 18.1 overs and by six wickets.
England – 181/2 vs West Indies, T20 World Cup 2024
This one came in the 2024 edition again in Gros Islet. The West Indies batsmen had entertained the Gros Islet crowd by scoring 180/4, but England came out and led by Phil Salt’s unbeaten 87 off 47 balls romped home in 17.3 overs and by eight wickets.
Conclusion
Chasing a target down, especially in T20 World Cups is never easy because there is so much pressure involved. The T20 World Cup is the most coveted crown in the shortest format of the game, so there is special praise reserved for teams that chase down big targets successfully. And in knockout games, it becomes even bigger.
FAQs
What is the highest successful run chase in T20s?
The highest run chase in T20 history came at the IPL 2024 when the Punjab franchise chased down an earth-shattering 262/2 against the Kolkata team. And they needed just 18.4 overs to reach their target.
What are the highest runs scored in an innings in T20 World Cup?
The highest runs scored in a single innings belongs to Brendon McCullum who scored 123 against Bangladesh in 2012 in Pallekele.
What is the highest successful run-chase in T20 World Cup history?
The highest successful run-chase in T20 World Cup history is by England who chased down West Indies’ 229/4 in 2016 by two wickets.
