Highest Run Chase in T20 World Cup - Iconic Chases in Cricket's Biggest Stage

The T20 World Cup has produced several high-scoring thrillers since its inception in 2007. Chasing down lofty targets in cricket’s biggest T20 tournament requires skill and nerveless temperament. Let’s revisit some iconic highest run chases in T20 World Cup history and the brilliant efforts that shaped those victories.

Overview of T20 World Cup

The T20 World Cup is the marquee ICC event for the shortest format contested by international men’s teams.

Key facts:

First edition held in 2007 in South Africa.
Held every 2 years until 2021, now shifted to every 4 years.
Number of teams increased from 12 to 16 from 2020 edition.
West Indies are the most successful team with 2 titles in 2012 and 2016.
Played in various cricket hosting nations like South Africa, England, India, Bangladesh etc.

With top T20 players featuring in their national colors, the T20 World Cup has seen some of the greatest exhibitions of power-hitting while chasing targets. Let’s look at the highest chases.

Highest Successful Run Chases in T20 World Cup History

Here are the 5 highest run chases in the T20 World Cup over the years:

1. 230/8 by West Indies vs South Africa in 2016

Score: West Indies 230/8 in 19.4 overs

Chased: South Africa 229/4 in 20 overs

In this group match at Mumbai in 2016 edition, South Africa batted first and powered their way to 229/4 riding on Faf du Plessis’s sparkling 119 off 56 balls. In response, West Indies got off to a fiery start before matched by steady middle order contributions from Marlon Samuels (60 off 35) and Dwayne Bravo (25 off 7). Carlos Brathwaite then stunned everyone with his blistering 34 off 10 balls to clinch a famous win on the last ball for West Indies.

2. 192/5 by Ireland vs Netherlands in 2014

Score: Ireland 193/4 in 19.3 overs

Chased: Netherlands 189/4 in 20 overs

During 2014 T20 World Cup in Bangladesh, Netherlands managed a competitive 189/4 after batting first. Ireland started strongly before a brilliant partnership between William Porterfield (68 off 51 balls) and Paul Stirling (66 off 41 balls) tilted the game in their favour. Kevin O’Brien finished things off with an unbeaten 25 off 7 balls as Ireland raced to an incredible win.

3. 191/5 by West Indies vs England in 2016

Score: West Indies 192/2 in 18.1 overs

Chased: England 182/6 in 20 overs

In this high-scoring 2016 World Cup final at Kolkata, England could only manage 182/6 despite Joe Root’s 54. The West Indies openers Johnson Charles (36 off 22) and Chris Gayle (36 off 32) gave them a quick start before Marlon Samuels played a match-winning knock. His unbeaten 66-ball 85 took West Indies over the line with 2 balls to spare to clinch their second World Cup title.

4. 190/5 by England vs West Indies in 2012

Score: England 191/5 in 19.4 overs

Chased: West Indies 188/5 in 20 overs

During their 2012 Super Eights clash, West Indies powered their way to 188/5 batting first in Colombo. In response, the English openers came out all guns blazing as Alex Hales struck 68 off 41 balls. A quickfire unbeaten 69 off just 36 balls by Eoin Morgan sealed a dramatic win for England on the last ball.

5. 189/4 by Pakistan vs Bangladesh in 2014

Score: Pakistan 190/4 in 18.3 overs

Chased: Bangladesh 188/3 in 20 overs

In this 2014 World Cup game at Mirpur, Bangladesh managed 188/3 after batting first. Pakistan lost early wickets but a brilliant century partnership between Sohaib Maqsood (61 off 40 balls) and Shoaib Malik (50* off 26 balls) steered them home. Shahid Afridi provided the finishing sparks with 24 off just 7 balls as Pakistan won a thriller with 9 balls remaining.

Notable Batting Performances in Highest T20 World Cup Chases

The successful record chases in T20 World Cups were made possible by exceptional individual batting displays:

Carlos Brathwaite – 34 off 10 balls for West Indies vs South Africa in 2016
Paul Stirling – 66 off 41 balls for Ireland vs Netherlands in 2014
Marlon Samuels – 85* off 66 balls for West Indies vs England in 2016
Eoin Morgan – 62* off 32 balls for England vs West Indies in 2016
Shahid Afridi – 24 off 7 balls for Pakistan vs Bangladesh in 2014

Such incredible hitting under pressure delivered historic results for their teams.

Leading Run Scorers in T20 World Cup Chases Over 175

Let’s look at the top individual scores in T20 World Cup while chasing 175+ targets successfully:

Batsman	Runs	Balls	4s	6s	Against	Venue	Edition
Marlon Samuels	85*	66	9	2	England	Kolkata	2016
Eoin Morgan	62*	32	4	4	WI	Colombo	2012
Paul Stirling	66	41	5	2	NED	Dhaka	2014
Shoaib Malik	50*	26	3	2	BAN	Dhaka	2014
Sohaib Maqsood	61	40	5	3	BAN	Dhaka	2014

Marlon Samuels’ brilliant unbeaten 85 against England in the 2016 final is the highest individual score in a successful 175+ chase in T20 World Cup history.

Conclusion

The T20 World Cup has witnessed some iconic chases like West Indies 230/8 against South Africa in 2016 and Ireland’s 193/4 against Netherlands in 2014. Veterans like Samuels, Morgan and Afridi played defining knocks in high pressure chases on cricket’s biggest T20 stage.

Chasing over 190 runs requires a perfect blend of fearless hitting and stability. Teams like West Indies, Ireland, England and Pakistan executed this beautifully during various T20 World Cup editions.

As batsmen continue to dominate bowling attacks with innovative shot-making, we may soon see the record for the highest T20 run chase being broken at another thrilling T20 World Cup tournament.