T20 is a game of fast-paced action, and one of the most important aspects in the shortest format of the game is the powerplays. The first six overs of an innings, which are the powerplay overs, make or break the momentum of either team.
For a batting team, it is all the more important that their top-order makes the best use of the field restrictions in place and give the side a good start. A good score in powerplays often results in a team piling up huge scores when batting first or securing a win when they are chasing. This gives the rest of the batting order a great foundation to build their innings upon.
The first six overs are all the more important for a high-pressure tournament like the T20 World Cup. A lot of games have been won or lost by teams just because of their performance in the powerplays.
There has been a lot of impactful performance regarding the powerplays in the short history of the T20 World Cup since its inception in 2007 to date. We will look at the top 10 team scores in powerplays in all editions of the T20 World Cup.
Highest Powerplay Scores in T20 World Cup
| Team | Powerplay Score | Against | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Indies | 92/1 | Afghanistan | Gros Islet | 2024 |
| Netherlands | 91/1 | Ireland | Sylhet | 2014 |
| England | 89/3 | South Africa | Mumbai | 2016 |
| South Africa | 83/0 | England | Mumbai | 2016 |
| India | 82/2 | Scotland | Dubai | 2021 |
| Australia | 74/2 | England | Bridgetown | 2024 |
| Australia | 74/1 | Namibia | North Sound | 2024 |
| England | 70/0 | Sri Lanka | Sydney | 2022 |
| Sri Lanka | 68/0 | New Zealand | Pallekele | 2012 |
| Australia | 67/2 | Bangladesh | Dubai | 2021 |
Key Insights
The West Indies have recorded the highest powerplay score in the T20 World Cup. They smashed 92 runs for the loss of a wicket against Afghanistan in a group stage match in 2024.
The Netherlands’ 91 runs in the powerplay against Ireland in 2014 are the most by an associate team in the T20 World Cup. This is also the highest powerplay score by an associate team in all of T20Is.
89 of England’s 230 runs came in the powerplay, which helped them set up the highest successful run chase in the T20 World Cup. You can find here the top 10 batsmen with the most runs while chasing in the tournament.
459/12 between England and South Africa at Mumbai in 2016 is the highest aggregate score in T20 World Cup history. South Africa put up 83 of those runs in their first six overs.
Australia and England have recorded three instances each, the most, of scoring 66 or more runs in the powerplay overs in the T20 World Cup.
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