| Pos | Team | Score | Overs | RR | Inns | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
| 1 | Sri Lanka | 260/6 | 20 | 13 | 1 | Kenya | Johannesburg | 14 Sep 2007 |
| 2 | England | 230/8 | 19.4 | 11.69 | 2 | South Africa | Mumbai | 18 Mar 2016 |
| 3 | South Africa | 229/4 | 20 | 11.45 | 1 | England | Mumbai | 18 Mar 2016 |
| 4 | India | 218/4 | 20 | 10.9 | 1 | England | Durban | 19 Sep 2007 |
| 5 | South Africa | 211/5 | 20 | 10.55 | 1 | Scotland | The Oval | 7 Jun 2009 |
| 6 | India | 210/2 | 20 | 10.5 | 1 | Afghanistan | Abu Dhabi | 3 Nov 2021 |
| 7 | South Africa | 209/5 | 20 | 10.45 | 1 | Afghanistan | Mumbai | 20 Mar 2016 |
| 8 | South Africa | 208/2 | 17.4 | 11.77 | 2 | West Indies | Johannesburg | 11 Sep 2007 |
| 9 | South Africa | 205/5 | 20 | 10.25 | 1 | Bangladesh | Sydney | 27 Oct 2022 |
| 10 | West Indies | 205/4 | 20 | 10.25 | 1 | Australia | Colombo (RPS) | 5 Oct 2012 |
Twenty 20 cricket has changed beyond recognition since the inaugural World T20 in South Africa. Since then, seven editions of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup have been staged across different parts of the world. However, no team has been able to overhaul Sri Lanka’s record total of 260/6.
The island nation still holds the record for the most runs in a T20 World Cup innings. The 2014 world champions achieved the feat against Kenya in the inaugural event.
The second and third-highest totals were achieved during the 2016 event when South Africa and England produced a match for the ages. Batting first, the Proteas hammered 229/4 on a placid wicket in Mumbai.
However, the total proved to be inadequate, as a Joe Root-inspired England wiped off the monstrous target with two balls to spare. Their total of 230/8 is not only the second-highest score in T20 World Cup history, but it is also the highest-ever run chase orchestrated by a team in the marquee event.
The 2007 T20 World Cup saw India’s Yuvraj Singh script history, as the talented southpaw hammered six sixes in an over off Stuart Broad to help the Men in Blue post 218/4 in 20 overs. The total remains the fourth highest score in the tournament’s history.
The top five is bookended by the Proteas, who scored 211/5 against Scotland at The Oval during the 2009 event in England.
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