The biggest ICC tournament of 2026, the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, is already underway, with the tournament final being played on 8th March. 20 teams are all set to face the music for the coveted trophy, but the event has had its fair share of controversies before it has even started. Bangladesh opted out of playing the tournament, citing security issues with Scotland replacing them, and lately, Pakistan boycotting their match against India on February 15th. But we are not here to talk about the controversies. That bit comes later.
Since its inception in 2007, the ICC T20 World Cup has witnessed mammoth totals and even more memorable run chases. Teams have repeatedly defied the odds, with England’s record-breaking 230-run chase in Mumbai in 2016 standing tall. Here’s a look at the top five highest run chases in ICC T20 World Cup history.
1. 230 - England vs South Africa, Mumbai (2016 T20 World Cup)
This was an important match for England as they had lost their opening match to the West Indies, while South Africa were playing their first game of the tournament. England had won the toss and chose to field first. South Africa started brilliantly with both the openers, Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock, scoring fifties. There was a bit of a stutter in the middle overs before a 28-ball 54 from JP Duminy, and a 12-ball 28 from David Miller helped the Proteas reach 229 in their 20 overs. In reply, Jason Roy and Alex Hales got them off to a flier, reaching 48 in just 2.3 overs. Jason Roy scored 43 in just 16 balls before falling in the fifth over. They lost a few quick wickets, but Joe Root was holding one end. He first stitched a partnership with Jos Buttler worth 75 runs and then attacked in the end to take England home and register the record of the highest chase in a T20 World Cup match. Root finished not out on 83 off just 44 balls.
2. 206 - South Africa vs West Indies, Johannesburg (2007 T20 World Cup)
The T20 World Cup could not have asked for a better start as West Indies and South Africa faced off in a thrilling encounter in Johannesburg. South Africa opted to field first, and they had no idea what was to come. The Universe Boss, Chris Gayle, put on a show for the fans as he blasted a magnificent 117 in the very first game of the T20 World Cup and became the first cricketer to score a century in T20Is. His innings propelled West Indies to 205, a total considered to be out of reach at that time. But South Africa had other plans. Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs got them off to a brisk start before the skipper fell. AB de Villiers played a small cameo before he was sent packing. That’s when Justin Kemp joined Gibbs in the middle. Gibbs, who had a flair for chasing high totals, blink, blink, remember his 175 against Australia, chasing 434 in an ODI, scored 90 in just 55 balls while Kemp scored 46 in 22 balls. In the end, the hosts chased down the total in just 17.4 overs.
3. 195 - USA vs Canada, Dallas, (2024 T20 World Cup)
The USA had an excellent outing in the 2024 T20 World Cup as they reached the Super Eight stage, to everyone’s surprise. They even went on to defeat Pakistan in the group stage, but their journey began against Canada, as they chased down 195, the third-highest total chased in T20 World Cups. Canada posted a formidable total of 194, courtesy of brilliant fifties from Navneet Dhaliwal and Nicholas Kirton. In reply, Steven Taylor was dismissed for a duck, and their skipper, Monank Patel, was dismissed for 16. Andries Gous and Aaron Jones came together and stitched a partnership of 131. Gous scored 65 in just 46 balls, while Jones scored an unbeaten 94 in just 40 balls to take the hosts home in just 17.4 overs.
4. 193 - West Indies vs India, Mumbai (2016 T20 World Cup)
The 2016 T20 World Cup saw its fair share of high totals being chased down at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. First, England chased down 229 against South Africa, and then the West Indies chased down 192 in the Semi-Finals. West Indies had won the toss, and they had chosen to bowl first. India had got off to a brisk start, courtesy of Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane. They scored 62 in 7.2 overs before Rohit fell for 43. That’s when Virat Kohli came in to bat and continued his majestic form. Fresh from a match-winning knock against Australia in Mohali, he continued in the same way as he scored an unbeaten 89 in just 47 balls to take India to 192, but it felt like they were short as the pitch at the Wankhede Stadium was flat. And the score did fall short. India started well with the ball as Jasprit Bumrah sent Gayle packing in the second over, and even Marlon Samuels did not last long. India could have had Lendl Simmons also out cheaply, but Ravi Ashwin had bowled a no-ball. Johnson Charles, and Simmons stitched a partnership of 97 before Kohli dismissed the former for 52. India felt a slight glimmer of hope, but Andre Russell crushed it as he scored 43 off just 20 balls and took West Indies to the final. Lendl Simmons finished with 82. India, though, had themselves to blame as they bowled a couple of no-balls, which could have been a wicket instead, and that proved costly.
5. 192 - Australia vs Pakistan, Gros Islet (2010 T20 World Cup)
I don’t think there is anyone who does not remember this match. Pakistan were facing Australia in the second semi-final to have a chance to reach their third straight final in the T20 World Cups, but they were up against a strong Australian side. Pakistan scored 191 in their 20 overs, courtesy of fifties from the Akmal brothers, Kamran and Umar. In reply, Australia kept on losing wickets at regular intervals. All hope was lost when they were 144 for 7 in 17.1 overs and had only Michael Hussey as the last recognized batter at the crease. The left-hander did not give up, though, and continued to fight. With 18 needed from the final over, Pakistan handed Saeed Ajmal to bowl the final over. Mitchell Johnson took a single off the first ball and gave the strike to Hussey, who went berserk, hitting 6, 6, 4, and 6 to clinch a spot in the finals for Australia. The scenes after that were unreal, and although Australia lost the final, this was one of the best knocks we had ever seen in a World Cup match.
Phew, these were some unreal chases, right, but with the T20 World Cup 2026 happening in India and Sri Lanka, and the pitches expected to be flat as we have seen, we might see huge scores being chased down. All in all, it all promises to be an exciting contest ahead of us.
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