After failing to find a buyer at the IPL auction, Shai Hope delivered a powerful statement with the bat, producing the biggest innings in SA20 history during the 2025–26 season of South Africa’s T20 league.

Representing Pretoria Capitals, Hope played a sensational unbeaten knock of 118 runs against Durban Super Giants in the 16th match of the tournament at Kingsmead Stadium.

Record-Breaking Knock

Opening the innings, Hope remained unbeaten after 20 overs, anchoring Pretoria Capitals to 201 for 4. His 118* came off 69 balls and included:

• 9 fours

• 9 sixes

Remarkably, 90 of his 118 runs came purely from boundaries, underlining the dominance of his innings. With this knock, Hope registered the highest individual score in SA20 history.

The previous SA20 record was held by Kyle Verreynne, who had scored 116* last season. Hope surpassed that mark by two runs to enter the record books.

Milestones Galore

The innings was even more special as it came in Hope’s 200th T20 match. Across 195 T20 innings, he has now amassed 5,350 runs at an average of 31.10, including:

• 4 centuries

• 27 half-centuries

• 400 fours

• 244 sixes

Perfect Timing for Pretoria Capitals

Hope’s century ended a lean patch in the ongoing SA20 season. In his first five matches, he had managed only 88 runs, with a top score of 45 and no half-centuries. The blistering knock came at a crucial time for Pretoria Capitals, who had won just one of their first five games.