Highest Successful Run Chase in T20 International: Highest T20 Run Chase International Cricket

“It is a tough venue to defend. Hopefully, we can bowl well and chase the total down,” South Africa T20I captain Aiden Markram had told host broadcaster SuperSport at the toss of the second T20I against West Indies in Centurion today.

With South Africa failing to defend 131 runs in 11 overs at the same venue yesterday, one could understand where Markram was coming from. Having said that, no one would’ve thought of Markram’s words proving to be absolutely true in the same match.

For those who don’t know, it is worth mentioning that the record for the highest successful run chase in a T20 International is on the verge of getting broken. While South Africa will have to continue batting exceedingly well in order to chase down a monumental 259-run target at the SuperSport Park on a Sunday evening, there’s no way they can’t do it considering their current situation in the match.

Having already broken the record for the highest powerplay score in the history of T20Is, the Proteas have scored as many as 149 runs in the first half of their innings. Needing another 110 runs in the remaining 10 overs with all their wickets intact, it wouldn’t be wrong to consider South Africa as the favourites at this point in time.

Assuming that the same happens in reality, South Africa will outdo the current record held by Bulgaria. As far as their personal best is concerned, readers must note that it was less than a year ago when they had sealed a 212-run chase against India at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

On the other hand, West Indies‘ worst performance while defending a target in this format had come in 2019 against India when they had let the home team chase down a 208-run target at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

Highest T20 Run Chase International Cricket (updated)

Target	Overs	Team	Opposition	Venue	Year
259	18.5	South Africa	West Indies	SuperSport Park	2023
243	19.4	Bulgaria	Serbia	National Sports Academy	2022
244	18.5	Australia	New Zealand	Eden Park	2018
232	19.2	West Indies	South Africa	The Wanderers Stadium	2015
230	19.4	England	South Africa	Wankhede Stadium	2016