What is the lowest score in t20 international cricket
Test and One Day International (ODI) cricket long ruled the roost in terms of recognition and fan following. That dynamic underwent a complete shift with the advent of T20 cricket, also known as Twenty-20 cricket, giving fans all around the world some unforgettable thrills and spills on the pitch.
The shortest format of the game has seen several outstanding performances over the years. However, it has also witnessed some lower-than-expected scores that can be very despairing to watch if your favourite team is playing. Then there are those historically low scores that have left an indelible mark on international T20 history.
The Lowest Score in T20 Internationals
In February 2020, Czech Republic’s men’s team were bundled out for just 39 runs against Turkey in Alanya, thus registering the lowest total ever recorded in a Men’s T20I match.
However, quite surprisingly, even this bleak score isn’t the lowest one you’ll find in international T20 cricket history. The Women’s World Cup Qualifiers in July 2018 saw Rwanda getting dismissed for an abysmally low total of just 34 runs versus Uganda.
Low Scores – A Closer Look
Watching a side reel under pressure from precise bowling and lose wickets at regular intervals is always painful to behold. Such routines have often resulted in teams collapsing spectacularly and being unable to muster up more than 60 or 70 runs.
For instance, in November 2019, China managed only 28 runs versus Bhutan while Mali achieved an equally disappointing total against Tanzania exactly five months later. Even strong outfits like Australia aren’t immune to these capitulations; they have been restricted to less than half-century totals more than once.
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Causes for Low Scoring Matches
Most would assume that poor batting techniques and strategies are primarily responsible for any low scoring innings in T20 cricket, but a more detailed look reveals several other factors at play. To begin with, extremely accurate and explosive bowling can overwhelm the batsmen’s defensive strategies, disrupting their concentration on the field.
Bowling Performance
Unpredictable and ASG (average speed generating) pitches often contribute heavily to wicket fall. This is especially true for games played under constantly changing weather conditions like high winds or intermittent rain showers. They can transform a regular pitch into an advantageous one for seamers and pacemen who can trap batsmen with cleverly disguised deliveries.
Conditions of The Pitch
The condition of the pitch should not be overlooked when discussing the contributing factors towards achieving low scores. A fresh green-topped wicket usually results in bouncier balls which tend to confound batsmen if they are unable to read them appropriately.
Similarly, rough or dry surfaces can skew the ball’s trajectory resulting in unexpected turn that bamboozles batman. It’s these sorts of matches where bowlers really shine and succeed in dismissing sides for incredibly low totals.
The Psychological Factor
Cricket is as much about psychological conditioning as it is about physical prowess on the field. Mind-games often swing matches by creating undue pressure amongst rival camps, leading to hasty decisions and execution lapses. For instance, aggressive sledging – a common practice designed to ‘psych out’ opponents – has been known to unsettle many skilled players’ rhythm and composure during crucial phases of the game.
Overall, while T20 cricket has become synonymous with big hits and record-breaking run-chases, it’s always fascinating to explore occurrences at the opposite end of this spectrum- savoring those rare instances when a team gets dismissed for an exceedingly low score becomes part of cricket lore.
