Highest powerplay score in T20 international cricket: From West Indies’ rampage to South African masterclass

The West Indies cricket team holds the record for the highest powerplay score in T20 International cricket.

West Indies hit a whopping 98 runs in the opening six overs of their 132-run chase against Sri Lanka at Coolidge in 2021.

Although the Lankan Lions reduced them to 65/4 in five overs, Kieron Pollard slammed six sixes off Akila Dananjaya to take the hosts to 98/4 at the end of the powerplay. 

Pollard’s emphatic display saw him emulate Yuvraj Singh’s feat at the 2007 T20 World Cup and become the third batter after Herschelle Gibbs and Yuvraj to hit six sixes off an over in international cricket.

The Windies’ powerplay score of 98/2 saw them break the previous record that was made against them by Ireland a year prior.

In the 2020 T20I between Ireland and West Indies, hosts Ireland posted a powerplay score of 93/0 with 17.6 runs on an average between overs two and six. Khary Pierre was the most expensive Windies bowler, conceding 24 runs in the final powerplay.

Three teams - Australia, West Indies and the Netherlands - registered the third-highest powerplay score in T20 International cricket. On separate occasions, the teams posted 91 in the powerplay overs.

When Ireland and the Netherlands clashed in the 2014 T20 World Cup, the Netherlands began their run-chase of 190 runs with a powerplay score of 91/1. Stephan Myburgh contributed 57 runs off 21 deliveries supported by Peter Borren (31 in 15 balls) until the latter’s dismissal on the final ball of the powerplay.

England’s powerplay score of 89/3 against South Africa is fourth on the list for the highest powerplay score in T20 International cricket. Chasing a target of 230, the English side - then captained by Eoin Morgan - hit 44 runs in the initial two overs before the next four overs producing a combined 45 runs.

South Africa completes the top five list for highest powerplay scores in T20 International cricket. The Proteas hit 88 runs in the mandatory powerplay phase against England in their 2016 clash while maintaining a run rate of 14.66.

As far as India is concerned, they posted their highest powerplay score in T20 International cricket against Scotland in 2021.

After reducing the opposition to 85 all out within 18 overs, India scored 82 runs in the opening six overs while losing two wickets. They would go on to win the encounter by eight wickets, scoring seven runs off three balls in the seventh over.

Highest powerplay score in T20 International cricket

Author: William Paul

Featured photo: AFP / ASIF HASSAN