T20I cricket has seen some wild run chases, teams pulling off the impossible, and others ending up in the record books for all the wrong reasons.
Right at the top, you’ve got South Africa. They pulled off the biggest chase ever, hunting down 259 against the West Indies in Centurion. That’s not just a number; it’s a jaw-dropper. And here’s something you probably didn’t expect: Bulgaria, not exactly a cricket powerhouse, pops up three times in the top ten.
India, on the other hand, is nowhere to be seen. Kind of surprising, isn’t it? The West Indies show up a lot, too, but usually on the losing side; they’ve been on the receiving end of these monster chases more than anyone else.
All these games just show how T20 cricket refuses to stand still. The players go harder, teams chase bigger, and no target feels safe anymore. Let’s take a closer look at some of these wild run chases.
Top 10 Highest Run Chase In T20 Cricket
Here is the list of the top 10 run chases in the history of the shortest format of cricket.
| Team | Score | Overs | Run Rate | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 259/4 | 18.5 | 13.75 | West Indies | Centurion | 26 Mar 2023 |
| Bulgaria | 246/4 | 19.4 | 12.5 | Serbia | Sofia | 26 Jun 2022 |
| Australia | 245/5 | 18.5 | 13 | New Zealand | Auckland | 16 Feb 2018 |
| Bulgaria | 244/4 | 14.2 | 17.02 | Gibraltar | Sofia | 11 Jul 2025 |
| West Indies | 236/6 | 19.2 | 12.2 | South Africa | Johannesburg | 11 Jan 2015 |
| England | 230/8 | 19.4 | 11.69 | South Africa | Wankhede | 18 Mar 2016 |
| Bulgaria | 229/4 | 19.3 | 11.74 | Serbia | Sofia | 24 Jun 2022 |
| England | 226/5 | 19.1 | 11.79 | South Africa | Centurion | 16 Feb 2020 |
| England | 226/3 | 19.5 | 11.39 | West Indies | St George’s | 16 Dec 2023 |
| South Africa | 225/3 | 17.3 | 12.85 | West Indies | Centurion | 29 Jan 2026 |
1. South Africa: 259/4 in 18.5 Overs Against West Indies
South Africa’s chase against the West Indies, That was pure madness. West Indies set the bar high, putting up 258 for 5. Johnson Charles went off for 118. But South Africa just didn’t care
In reply, Quinton de Kock hammered a hundred off just 44 balls. Reeza Hendricks smashed 68. From ball one, they kept the pressure on, never letting things slip. They got to 259 for 4 in just 18.5 overs. That’s the best chase ever in T20I cricket.
2. Bulgaria: 246/4 in 19.4 Overs Against Serbia
Then there’s Bulgaria. You wouldn’t expect it, but they have the second-biggest chase on record. Serbia put up 242, thanks to a brilliant 117 from Leslie Dunbar and solid help from the rest of the top order.
Bulgaria, they just attacked. Saim Hussain blasted 71 off 24, Kevin D’Souza knocked 66, and the chase never looked shaky. Bulgaria finished on 246 for 4 with two balls left. That’s some fearless batting.
3. Australia: 245/5 in 18.5 Overs Against New Zealand
Australia sits at number three. They chased 244 against New Zealand. Martin Guptill smashed 105, Colin Munro added 76. New Zealand looked pretty comfortable.
But Australia never let up. David Warner cracked 59 off just 24, D’Arcy Short piled on 76. Then Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Finch came in swinging, sealing it with more than an over to spare. Australia ended on 245 for 5 in 18.5 overs.
4. Bulgaria: 244/4 in 14.2 Overs Against Gibraltar
Bulgaria shows up yet again, this time chasing 244 against Gibraltar. Gibraltar’s top order did their job, Philip Raikes hit 73, Iain Latin got 51, and the rest chipped in. But Bulgaria went berserk.
Despite the big total, Isa Zaroo and Milen Gogev both scored 69, and Manan Bashir just tore it apart with 70 off 21 balls. Gibraltar never stood a chance.
5. West Indies: 236/6 in 19.2 Overs Against South Africa
And in fifth place? The West Indies, finally on the right side of the chase. South Africa set them a target of 232 to get. Faf du Plessis was on fire with 119, and David Miller added 47. But Chris Gayle turned up with 90, Marlon Samuels smacked 60, and they chased it down with four balls left, finishing on 236 for 6.
The West Indies came out attacking from the start. Chris Gayle smashed 90, while Marlon Samuels added 60, putting South Africa under pressure, and they chased down 236/6 in 19.2 overs.
6. England: 230/8 in 19.4 Against South Africa
Let’s talk about some wild T20I chases. England’s run after 230 against South Africa still stands out. South Africa put up a monster 229/4, thanks to Hashim Amla’s 58, Quinton de Kock’s 52, and a late push from Jean-Paul Duminy (54*) and David Miller (28*).
England didn’t mess around. Jason Roy came out swinging with 43, and Joe Root held everything together with a classy 83. Jos Buttler chipped in with 21 at the end, and they got home at 230/8 with two balls left.
7. Bulgaria: 229/4 in 19.3 Overs Against Serbia
Then there’s Bulgaria, who love a big chase against Serbia, apparently. Serbia piled on 225/6, led by Wintley Burton’s 83 and Leslie Dunbar’s 70*.
But Bulgaria just went for it. Kevin D’Souza hammered 92 off 34 balls, Prakash Mishra added 53, and Aravinda De Silva knocked 43. They finished on 229/4 in 19.3 overs. A nerve-wracking, gutsy chase that makes the highlight reel.
8. England: 226/3 in 19.1 Overs Against South Africa
England pop up again at number eight, this time chasing 223 against South Africa. South Africa’s 222/6 came with runs from Temba Bavuma (49), Heinrich Klaasen (66), and David Miller (35*).
England answered with Jos Buttler’s 57, Jonny Bairstow’s 64, and Eoin Morgan smashing an unbeaten 57 off 22 balls to wrap things up at 226/5 in 19.1 overs.
9. England: 226/3 in 19.5 Overs Against West Indies
Ninth on the list, Another England chase, this time against the West Indies. West Indies posted 222/6, with Nicholas Pooran firing 82 and quick runs from Rovman Powell (39) and Sherfane Rutherford (29).
England’s reply was pure aggression. Phil Salt was the star, finishing on 109*; Jos Buttler hit 51, and the game was done in a flash with Liam Livingstone’s 30 and a rapid, unbeaten 31 from Harry Brook (just 7 balls!).
10. South Africa: 225/3 in 17.3 Overs Against West Indies
Rounding off the top 10, South Africa chased 222 against West Indies in Centurion, and honestly, it looked easy. West Indies hit 221/4. Shimron Hetmyer made 75, Rutherford 57*, and Brandon King 49.
Quinton de Kock played a superb knock of 115, while Ryan Rickelton stayed unbeaten on 77. Both batters controlled the chase from start to finish as they reached 225/3 in just 17.3 overs without much trouble. This match stands at the 10th position on the list of big run chases in T20I cricket.
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Conclusion: South Africa Chased The Highest Ever Total In T20Is
These chases show just how much T20 cricket has changed. South Africa sits at the top, Bulgaria’s right up there (three times in the top 10!), and Australia holds the third spot. If you ever doubted what associate teams can do, Bulgaria’s proof is that you shouldn’t. Stick around, there are always more cricket records and stats coming.
