Table of Contents
- England recorded their highest powerplay score in the 2016 T20 World Cup.
- West Indies rank second for the highest powerplay scores in T20 internationals.
The first six overs in a T20I match, known as the powerplay, play a crucial role in shaping the game’s momentum. Over the years, batters have taken advantage of fielding restrictions, smashing boundaries and scoring heavily during this phase.
Explosive players like Chris Gayle, Rohit Sharma, and David Warner are renowned for their aggressive starts, putting bowlers under pressure early on. Here’s a look at the top 10 highest powerplay scores in T20 internationals.
10) West Indies – 86 runs
In 2015, during the second T20I between South Africa and West Indies in Johannesburg, the West Indies put on a batting masterclass, dismantling the Proteas’ bowling attack. They successfully chased down a massive target of 232 runs with four balls to spare, showcasing their extraordinary power-hitting ability.
Chris Gayle, famously known as the ‘Universe Boss,’ delivered a breathtaking 90 off just 41 balls. His explosive start powered the West Indies to an impressive 86 runs in the powerplay, with Gayle himself hammering 38 off just 14 balls, setting the perfect foundation for a historic run chase.
9) West Indies – 88 runs
In December 2018, during the third T20I in Dhaka, the West Indies delivered a dominant performance against Bangladesh. Evin Lewis took centre stage, propelling his team to an imposing total of 190 runs in 20 overs.
The explosive left-hander provided a blistering start, guiding the Caribbeans to 88 runs in the powerplay. Lewis was unstoppable, smashing 62 runs off just 24 balls during the first six overs. He concluded his innings with a stunning 89 off 36 deliveries, featuring 6 fours and 8 sixes. Defending their total, the West Indies bowled out Bangladesh for 140, securing a commanding 50-run victory.
8) South Africa – 88 runs
In the second T20I between South Africa and England at Johannesburg in 2016, the hosts delivered a commanding performance, chasing down a 172-run target in just 15 overs. AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla spearheaded the attack, putting immense pressure on the English bowlers.
The dynamic duo tore through England’s bowling lineup, smashing 88 runs in the powerplay. De Villiers blazed his way to 41 off 18 balls, while Amla matched him with 40 off 18. Their sensational 125-run opening stand set the tone for an emphatic victory. Though De Villiers departed for 71 off 29 balls, Amla remained unbeaten on 69, guiding South Africa to a dominant nine-wicket win.
7) England – 89 runs
During the 2016 T20 World Cup in India, England pulled off a spectacular chase, successfully reaching a daunting 230-run target with just two balls to spare. Jason Roy’s explosive start laid the foundation for England’s aggressive counter-attack.
Roy hammered 43 off just 16 balls, smashing five fours and three sixes, and powered England to an impressive 89 runs in the powerplay. Joe Root carried the momentum forward, scoring a brilliant 83 off 44 balls, ultimately steering England to a thrilling victory.
6) West Indies – 91 runs
It’s uncommon for batters to go all out in a low-scoring match, but that’s exactly what happened in the opening T20I between West Indies and Bangladesh in Sylhet in 2018. The West Indies chased down 130 runs in just 10.5 overs, delivering a dominant performance.
Opener Shai Hope completely dismantled the Bangladesh bowling attack, propelling his team to 91/1 in the powerplay. He smashed 52 runs off just 17 balls, recording the third-fastest T20I fifty and securing a commanding position for the West Indies’ victory.
5) Australia – 91 runs
In the fifth match of the Trans-Tasman T20 Tri-Series held in Auckland in 2018, Australia pulled off a sensational chase, reaching a massive target of 244 runs in just 18.5 overs to win by five wickets.
David Warner and D’Arcy Short launched a fierce attack on the Kiwi bowlers, giving Australia an explosive start. The duo powered their team to an impressive 91 runs in the powerplay. Warner smashed 39 off 16 balls, while Short contributed 38 from 20 deliveries, setting the stage for a thrilling victory.
4) Netherlands – 91 runs
In the 12th match of the First Round (Group B) of the 2016 T20 World Cup, the Netherlands delivered a stunning chase, scoring 193/4 in just 14 overs to defeat Ireland with 37 balls to spare.
Stephan Myburgh and captain Peter Borren dominated the powerplay, smashing 91 runs in the first six overs. Borren scored 31 off 15 balls before being dismissed on the last ball of the powerplay. However, Myburgh stole the show, hammering 57 runs from just 21 deliveries, setting the Netherlands on course for a commanding victory.
3) Ireland – 93 runs
In January 2020, during a T20I match against West Indies in St George’s, Ireland’s senior batters Paul Stirling and Kevin O’Brien provided a blistering start, propelling their team to 93 runs in the powerplay.
Batting first, Stirling led the charge, dominating the West Indies bowlers. Kevin O’Brien chipped in with 23 off 11 balls, while Stirling smashed 67 from just 25 deliveries. He went on to score 95 off 47 balls, hitting 6 fours and 8 sixes, helping Ireland post a strong total of 208/7. Despite a spirited chase, West Indies fell short by just four runs.
2) West Indies – 98 runs
In March 2021, West Indies captain Kieron Pollard made history by equaling Yuvraj Singh’s legendary feat, smashing six sixes in an over against Sri Lanka during the opening T20I at Coolidge. His explosive batting was instrumental in West Indies chasing down the modest target of 132 in under 14 overs.
After five overs, West Indies were struggling at 62/4, with Akila Dhananjaya impressing with figures of 2-0-17-3. However, what happened next stunned everyone. Pollard unleashed his power in the final over of the powerplay, hammering six consecutive sixes off Dhananjaya’s third over, joining an elite group of cricketers with this incredible record. This destructive display powered West Indies to 98 runs in the powerplay, setting the stage for a dominant victory.
1) South Africa – 102 runs
Until March 26, 2023, West Indies held the record for the highest powerplay score, with Kieron Pollard’s six sixes propelling them to 98 runs. However, on that historic Sunday, South Africa shattered the record, becoming the first team to surpass the 100-run mark in a powerplay.
In the second T20I against West Indies, Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks launched a relentless assault, smashing 102 runs in the first six overs. De Kock also set a new milestone, recording the fastest half-century by a South African and the fifth-fastest in T20I history, reaching 50 in just 15 balls. He went on to score 62 off 24 deliveries, while Hendricks added 35 off just 12 balls, ensuring a record-breaking start for South Africa.
Conclusion
The top 10 highest powerplay scores in T20 internationals underscore the importance of the first six overs in shaping a match’s outcome. Teams like South Africa, West Indies, and Australia have consistently capitalized on fielding restrictions, using the powerplay to launch aggressive starts, whether chasing a target or building a formidable total.
These records also highlight the game-changing impact of individual performances from power hitters like Quinton de Kock, Chris Gayle, and Evin Lewis, whose explosive batting has played a crucial role in some of the most thrilling T20 encounters.
