Fast-paced hitting usually defines Twenty20 International cricket, with the opening six overs offering sides a prime chance to exploit the early field restrictions. Although accumulating 50 to 60 runs represents a solid beginning, certain sides have elevated aggressive strokeplay even further by surpassing a century of runs within the initial powerplay phase.
India newly created history through an astonishing performance with the bat facing New Zealand in Wellington. The Indian openers hammered 118 unbeaten runs across the first six overs, breaking the top mark previously held by Australia among ICC full-member nations. Below, we examine the five greatest powerplay scores achieved by full-member countries in men’s T20Is.
5 highest T20I Powerplay scores by full-member sides
1. India – 118/0 against New Zealand
The top powerplay total by a full-member nation in men’s T20Is was set by India when they accumulated 118/0 facing New Zealand at Wellington on October 27, 2026. Pursuing a target of 199 during the third match of the series, the visiting side launched an immediate assault led by Abhishek Sharma alongside 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi.
Both openers took charge right from the opening over, collectively blasting 11 boundaries and 10 maximums while the field was restricted. They propelled India beyond 100 runs within five overs, offering the Kiwi bowlers little chance to slow down the scoring momentum. Abhishek went on to reach his hundred in a mere 35 balls, closing out his knock at 113 runs from 38 balls. India comfortably completed the run chase in 13.2 overs to earn a six-wicket triumph, taking an unassailable 3-0 advantage in the five-game encounter.
2. Australia – 113/1 against Scotland
Australia claim second place on the list having amassed 113/1 over the initial six overs facing Scotland at Edinburgh’s The Grange Club on September 4, 2024. In pursuit of 155, the Aussies encountered an early bump when Jake Fraser-McGurk fell for zero in the match’s first over.
Nevertheless, Travis Head and skipper Mitchell Marsh rapidly took charge of the run chase. Head clobbered 73 runs in the powerplay period alone, registering a 17-ball half-century that placed intense strain on the Scottish bowling setup. Marsh added potent firepower from the opposite end, steering Australia to 113/1 by the end of six overs. The away team wrapped up the victory in just 9.4 overs, sealing a seven-wicket win.
3. Zimbabwe – 103/1 against Gambia
Zimbabwe hold the third spot in this ranking thanks to their 103/1 tally against Gambia in an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Africa Qualifier clash in Nairobi on October 23, 2024. Taking first strike at the Ruaraka Sports Club venue, Zimbabwe’s top-order batters went on the offensive right away against the Gambian attack.
Opening batters Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani displayed brilliant aggression, finding the fence consistently to disrupt the opposition. Zimbabwe breached the 100-run threshold inside six overs and sustained their fast pace even after a wicket fell. They went on to construct a massive 344/4, establishing a record for the maximum team score in men’s T20Is at that point.
4. South Africa – 102/0 against West Indies
South Africa secured the fourth position among full members by posting 102/0 facing the West Indies at Centurion’s SuperSport Park on March 26, 2023. Tasked with chasing a mammoth score of 259, the Proteas required an extraordinary opening burst to stay competitive.
Opening pair Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks produced an extraordinary display of power hitting. De Kock brought up a fifty off merely 15 deliveries, while Hendricks provided relentless attacking support. The duo surpassed 100 runs in a mere 5.3 overs, setting South Africa up for a historical victory. The home side ultimately won by six wickets with seven deliveries unused, executing what was then the largest successful run chase in men’s T20I history.
5. England – 100/0 against South Africa
England round out the top five having notched 100/0 during the powerplay facing South Africa at Manchester’s Old Trafford on September 12, 2025. This milestone occurred in the second T20I of the series, as opening pair Jos Buttler and Phil Salt went after the visiting bowlers right from the start.
Buttler spearheaded the assault with a 32-ball 65, blending brute power and inventive strokes to find the boundary regularly. Salt matched the aggression at the other end, allowing England to sustain a run rate exceeding 16 runs an over through the first six overs. The home side ultimately built a total of 304/2 and registered a massive 146-run triumph to cap off a masterclass in batting dominance.
