Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: Afghanistan
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket is known for high scoring matches where teams often post very large totals in a short number of overs. Over time, the record for the highest team total in T20Is has been broken several times as batting standards and power hitting have improved. Around early 2019, one particular national team set a new benchmark by posting an exceptionally high score, which became a popular statistic in cricket general knowledge questions. This question asks you to identify that national team based on standard records up to that period.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The concept is record keeping for team totals in T20I cricket. While teams like West Indies and England are known for explosive batting, it was Afghanistan that recorded a remarkably high total in a T20I match against Ireland around early 2019. They scored a record team total that surpassed previous marks and drew attention to Afghanistan development as a strong limited overs team. Ireland, West Indies, and England have posted big scores, but the specific record for the highest team total at that time was associated with Afghanistan. The approach is therefore to recall news about Afghanistan setting a T20I scoring record against Ireland and to select Afghanistan from the options.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the phrase highest ever T20I team total as of early 2019.
Step 2: Recall that Afghanistan played a high scoring series against Ireland, during which they posted a huge team total.
Step 3: Recognise that this Afghan innings surpassed existing T20I team total records at that time.
Step 4: Consider the other teams: West Indies and England are powerful batting sides, but their record scores were slightly lower than Afghanistan new mark in that period.
Step 5: Conclude that Afghanistan is the team that set the highest T20I total as referred to in this question.
Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify by recalling how this record was described in cricket coverage. Headlines highlighted Afghanistan astonishing total and mentioned that they had broken the previous record for the highest team score in T20I cricket. Ireland were typically mentioned as the opposition in that match, not as the team setting the record. West Indies and England are often highlighted for individual big hitters and World Cup performances, but in this specific context, Afghanistan name repeatedly appeared in record lists for highest T20I totals at that time. This confirms that the question is pointing to Afghanistan as the correct answer.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Ireland: Ireland were on the receiving end of Afghanistan record breaking score in that period and did not set the highest team total themselves.
West Indies: Although they have many powerful batsmen and have posted big scores, they were not the holders of the highest ever T20I team total as of early 2019 in standard record tables.
England: Known for aggressive batting and high scoring matches, but England did not have the specific record for the overall highest T20I team total at that time.
Common Pitfalls:
Many candidates assume that the highest T20I score must belong to a traditional power such as West Indies or England and overlook Afghanistan rapid rise in limited overs cricket. Another pitfall is to remember that Ireland is involved in the record match but mistakenly think they were the scoring team rather than the opposition. To avoid these errors, pay attention to which emerging teams have set records in recent years and remember that Afghanistan, in particular, has posted very high totals against other sides in T20I cricket.
Final Answer:
As of early 2019, the national team that set the highest ever team total in a Twenty20 International (T20I) match was Afghanistan, so option C is correct.
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