BackHow India’s 92 matched against the lowest ever T20 scores
From The Netherlands' 39 all out to India's collapse against the Australians, here's a list of the lowest ever T20 scores
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Two days after they nearly set a 200-run target for visitors South Africa in the first twenty20 international in Dharamshala, India’s batsmen came down crashing in Cuttack. They could only manage a mere 92 off 17.5 overs in the second twenty20 international.
South Africa, after overcoming some initial hiccups, largely thanks to off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (3/24), chased down the lowly total with six wickets in hand and 17 balls to spare.
92 all-out also happens to be India’s second lowest total in the format, with its lowest total (74) coming against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in 2008. Besides, Monday’s match also the first instance of a team getting bowled out in a Twenty20 international in India.
Here’s a list of the lowest totals in Twenty20 internationals (excludes associate nations, except matches in World T20)
The Netherlands—39 all out vs Sri Lanka at Chittagong (2014)
The Dutch team were bowled out for 39 against Sri Lanka at Chittagong in the 2014 World T20 tournament. Australia-born Tom Cooper was the highest scorer for Netherlands with 16. They lasted a mere 10.3 overs, with the wickets spread out between Nuwan Kulasekara (1/0), Angelo Mathews (3/16), Lasith Malinga (2/5) and Ajantha Mendis (3/12). The Lankans chased down their target of 40 runs in 5 overs, for the loss of opener Kusal Perera.
New Zealand—60 all out vs Sri Lanka at Chittagong (2014)
Exactly a week after they demolished the Dutch, the Sri Lankans were at it again, interestingly at the same venue—the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong. The Kiwis won the toss and chose to field, and their bowlers, led by Trent Boult, Mitchell McLenaghan and Jimmy Neesham did a stellar job to restrict the opposition to a modest total of 119. With an easy target in sight, New Zealand got off to a decent start, before they lost a bunch of wickets in a heap. 18 for 1 became 29 for 5, with left-arm spinner Rangana Herath doing most of the damage. The Kiwis never recovered from that position, before folding up for a mere 60 runs.
Ireland—68 all out vs West Indies at Providence (2010)
Ireland, appearing in their second World T20 tournament in the West Indies, were shot out for 68 by the hosts. As it turned out, it was quite a low-scoring encounter, with the West Indies managing a below-par 138/9 in their 20 overs. In reply, Ireland were never in the game, consistently losing wickets to Darren Sammy and Ravi Rampaul, before they folded up for 68.
Hong Kong—69 vs Nepal at Chittagong (2014)
This was a game that put Nepal cricket on the global cricketing map. In the qualifying rounds for the 2014 World T20, Hong Kong and Nepal squared off against each other, their rivalry from the lower divisions going mainstream. Nepal, who were put into bat by Hong Kong, finished with a commanding total of 149, thanks to impressive contributions by Gyandendra Malla (48) and captain Paras Khadka (41). In reply, Hong Kong were stifled right from the very first ball, when they lost Irfan Ahmed to Khadka. The slide showed no signs of arrest, as spinners Shakti Gauchan and Basant Regmi helped dismiss Hong Kong for 69.
Afghanistan—72 all out vs Bangladesh at Dhaka (2014)
This was quite a must-win game for Bangladesh, the game that would take them above Nepal in the 2014 World T20 qualifiers, and through to the main tournament. The hosts responded to the pressure rather well, bundling out Afghanistan for 72, before chasing the total down in 12 overs. This meant that Bangladesh qualified for the tournament, while Nepal, tied on points, missed out.
Kenya—73 all out vs New Zealand at Durban (2007)
In the first ever World T20 in South Africa in 2007, many teams were still figuring out the format, trying different things, and as a result, mustered low scores. Kenya, who, four years ago, made the World Cup semi-finals in the same country, were blown away by Mark Gillespie of New Zealand. Gillespie’s four wickets helped restrict Kenya to a mere 73, a total which was chased down in a little over seven overs by the New Zealanders
Pakistan—74 all out vs Australia at Dubai (2012)
In a dead-rubber match in Dubai, Pakistan posted their lowest ever score in a T20 international. Australia, who went into the game with the series lost, batted first and posted a total of 168/7 in their allotted quota. In reply, Pakistan succumbed to the two young Aussie pacemen—Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, who took three wickets each, before folding up for a lowly 74. Pakistan were crowned World T20 champions in 2009, when they beat Sri Lanka at Lord’s to life the trophy.
India—74 all out vs Australia at Melbourne (2008)
In their only T20 international in the 2007-08 tour of Australia, India disappointed after winning the toss and batting first at the MCG. At one stage, India collapsed to 32/5, and never recovered from that position, finishing with a terribly low score of 74. Irfan Pathan was India’s highest scorer with an unbeaten 26. The Michael Clarke-led Australia successfully chased down the total for the loss of Adam Gilchrist in 11.4 overs.
Bangladesh - 78 vs New Zealand at Hamilton (2010)
The twenty20 international, also Bangladesh’s tour opener in New Zealand would set the tone for what followed in the remaining formats. Their first ever batting experience in that tour of New Zealand conditions ended up in a disastrous show by their batsmen, who collectively managed only 78 runs. Daniel Vettori starred for New Zealand in the middle overs, stifling the Bangladeshi batting, picking three wickets in the process. New Zealand, with the swashbuckling Brendon McCullum and Peter Ingram, chased the total down in 8.2 overs.
Australia—79 all out vs England at Southampton (2005)
This was the match that set the tone for the historic 2005 Ashes, which England won later that summer. The second ever twenty20 international saw England, batting first at Southampton, post a formidable total of 179 from their 20 overs. The stars of their show, were Marcus Trescothick (41), Kevin Pietersen (34) and Paul Collingwood (46). Australia began well, but never recovered after Adam Gilchrist was dismissed by Darren Gough. The wickets kept tumbling, and it took Jason Gillespie’s 24 lower down to prop up their batting. They ended with a dismal tally of 79 runs, Australia’s lowest ever score in T20Is till date.
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