Highest targets chased in T20I cricket
T20 cricket has revolutionised modern-day batting as players have evolved over time and adapted to the demands of the game. The shortened format has allowed batters to play more freely and take full advantage of the fielding restrictions and short boundaries. Ever since its inception, the format has enthralled fans with some mind-boggling games where batters have gone absolutely berserk and shattered records for fun.
Earlier a score of 200 was considered a safe total in the action-packed format. However, in recent times batters have broken the barrier and chased down some of the most impossible-looking targets in T20s. On that note, let’s take a look at the top three highest targets chased in T20s:
3) 245/5 Australia vs New Zealand, Auckland, 2018
It was the fifth game of the T20I tri-series played between Australia, England, and New Zealand. The Kiwis batted first and posted a monumental score of 243/6 in their allotted 20 overs. In reply, Australia got a good start as openers David Warner (59 off 24) and D’Arcy Short (76 off 44) added 121 runs for the first wicket in just 51 balls. Later on, Glenn Maxwell (31 off 14) and Aaron Finch (36* off 14) helped take their team home and chased down the target of 244 with seven balls to spare.
2) 246/4 Bulgaria vs Serbia, Sofia, 2022
It was the fourth and final T20I of the series between the two nations. Bulgaria had already taken an unassailable lead in the series having won the first three matches. However, they had an uphill task of chasing down 243 to whitewash Serbia. They started slowly as the openers added just 45 runs in 32 balls. Saim Hussain walked in at No. 3 and ripped apart the Serbian bowling with his sensational knock of 71 off 24 balls. He got good support from Kevin D’Souza who scored 66 off 27 balls as Bulgaria chased down the target with two balls to spare.
1) 259/4 South Africa vs West Indies, Centurion, 2023
Being 1-0 down in the three-match series, South Africa elected to field first in the second game. However, the decision backfired as West Indies posted a massive 258/5 in their allotted 20 overs. However, the Proteas batters didn’t give up and came out all guns blazing in the second innings. The openers Quinton de Kock (100 off 44 balls) and Reeza Hendricks (68 off 28) added 152 runs for the first wicket in just 65 balls. After their dismissals, brilliant cameos from captain Aiden Markram (38* off 21) and Heinrich Klaasen (16* off 7) helped South Africa chase down the mammoth total with seven balls to spare.
