Top 5 highest successful chases in all T20s ft. PBKS
The Punjab Kings (PBKS) set a new world record for the highest successful run-chase in T20 cricket history last night. The Kings chased down a 262-run target in just 18.4 overs against the Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens.
Openers Prabhsimran Singh and Jonny Bairstow were the architects of PBKS' win against KKR last night. While Singh got run out after a 20-ball 54, Bairstow started slow but finished with an unbeaten 48-ball 108, hitting eight fours and nine sixes.
Rilee Rossouw played his part well with a 16-ball 26, and Shashank Singh finished things off in style by scoring 68 runs from 28 deliveries, including eight sixes.
As PBKS pulled off the highest successful run-chase in T20 history, here's a look at the other four epic run-chases which have dropped down by a spot in the top 5 list now.
#1 PBKS - 262/2 vs KKR, 2024
As mentioned ahead, the Punjab Kings pulled off the most successful run-chase in all of T20 cricket last night at Eden Gardens. Playing against the Kolkata Knight Riders, PBKS leaked 261 runs in 20 overs.
Since the highest successful run-chase in IPL was 224, not many fans expected Punjab to pull it off. However, Prabhsimran Singh's blitzkreig, Jonny Bairstow's fantastic ton, and Shashank Singh's splendid half-century ensured PBKS did the unthinkable at Eden Gardens.
#2 SA - 259/4 vs WI, 2023
South Africa set a record for the highest successful run-chase in T20is just before IPL last year. Playing in a bilateral home match against West Indies, the Proteas conceded 258 runs to the Men in Maroon in 20 overs.
In response, Quinton de Kock's 44-ball 100 and Reeza Hendricks' 28-ball 68 lay the platform for Rilee Rossouw, Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen to guide South Africa to 259/4 in 18.5 overs. Rossouw has now been a part of the top two highest successful run-chases in T20s.
#3 Middlesex - 254/3 vs Surrey, 2023
English county Middlesex owns the record for the highest successful run-chase in T20s without a century from any of the batters. In a group stage match against Surrey, Middlesex conceded 252/7 in 20 overs after electing to bowl first at The Oval.
Chasing 253, Middlesex were home with four balls to spare, riding on a 39-ball 73 from Stephen Eskinazi and a 35-ball 68 from Max Holden. Ryan Higgins also chipped with a 48-run knock at a strike rate of 200.
#4 Bulgaria - 246/4 vs Serbia, 2022
A rather surprising entry on the list is of European country Bulgaria, who chased down 243 in a bilateral T20 against Serbia in Sofia. Leslie Dunbar's 50-ball 117 guided Serbia to 242/4 in 20 overs.
In reply, Bulgaria reached 246/4 in 19.4 overs, courtesy of half-tons from Kevin D'Souza and Saim Hussain. Opener Hristo Lakov remained not out on 48 off 40, but his teammates still managed to chase down the mammoth target. The 27 extras from Serbia helped their opponents as well.
#5 AUS - 245/5 vs NZ, 2018
In a group stage match of a tri-series played in 2018, Australia stunned the fans at the Eden Park by chasing down a 244-run target against home team New Zealand. Martin Guptill's century inspired the home side to 243/6 in 20 overs.
Chasing 244, D'Arcy Short's 76 and David Warner's 59 brought Australia closer to the target. In the end, Aaron Finch's unbeaten 14-ball 36 at number five helped the Aussies reach 245/5 in the 19th over itself.