Top 10 Lowest T20 Score in International Cricket

The lowest T20 score in international cricket history is 21 runs, scored by Turkey against the Czech Republic on August 30, 2019, during the Continental Cup in Romania. This shocking collapse stunned cricket fans around the world, setting a record that still stands today.

Turkey’s innings lasted just 8.3 overs. None of their batters reached double digits. The Czech bowling attack, led by Sudesh Wickramasekara, tore through the lineup with ruthless efficiency. It was a perfect storm of panic, inexperience, and relentless pressure.

What made it more surprising was the margin of defeat. The Czech Republic chased the target in just 2.4 overs without losing a single wicket. This match didn’t just set a record; it became a defining example of how brutally quick T20 cricket can shift.

Overview of the Record Score

The lowest T20 score in international cricket history is 21 runs, made by Turkey against the Czech Republic in August 2019. This shocking collapse happened during the Continental Cup in Ilfov County, Romania.

Turkey’s entire batting lineup folded in just 8.3 overs. No batter crossed double digits. Their top scorer made only five runs, while five players were dismissed without scoring. The Czech bowlers, led by Pavel Florin and Sumit Pokhriyal, dominated the innings with relentless accuracy and pressure.

This match set a new low in the T20I format, beating the previous record of 28 runs by the Philippines. The performance raised eyebrows across the cricketing world and highlighted the growing gap in skill levels among newer cricketing nations.

Which Team Holds the Record?

As of now, Turkey holds the record for the lowest team score in T20 International cricket. In a shocking collapse against the Czech Republic on August 30, 2019, Turkey was bowled out for just 21 runs.

This match took place during the Continental Cup in Romania. Turkey’s entire innings lasted only 8.3 overs, and not a single batter reached double digits. The top scorer made just five runs. Czech bowlers dominated with razor-sharp accuracy, with Pavel Florin and Sudesh Wickramasekara picking up key wickets.

When and Where Did It Happen?

The lowest T20 score in international cricket happened on February 20, 2023, during a match between Turkey and the Czech Republic. The venue was Ilfov County Cricket Ground in Romania, a neutral location often used for associate-level tournaments under the European Cricket umbrella.

Turkey batted first and were bowled out for just 21 runs in 8.3 overs, the lowest total ever recorded in men’s T20 International history. The pitch offered low bounce, but it was Turkey’s batting collapse under pressure that shocked viewers more than the conditions.

This record-breaking low score wasn’t in a high-profile World Cup clash; it happened in the Continental Cup, a lesser-known tournament. Still, it stands as a stark reminder: in T20 cricket, one bad day can lead to history for the wrong reasons.

Top 5 Lowest Team Totals in T20I Matches

1. Turkey – 21 all out vs Czech Republic (2019)

This remains the lowest T20 international score ever recorded. Turkey was bowled out for just 21 runs in 8.3 overs during the Continental Cup. The Czech Republic bowlers exploited poor shot choices and inexperience, turning the game into a historic collapse.

2. Lesotho – 26 all out vs Uganda (2021)

In a T20 Africa sub-regional match, Lesotho folded for 26 runs. Uganda’s pace attack ripped through the batting lineup, with no batter reaching double digits. It was over in less than 13 overs.

3. China – 26 all out vs Thailand (2019)

Tied with Lesotho, China’s 26-run total came in a women’s T20I match, but it’s often referenced alongside men’s records due to the sheer dominance by Thailand. Accurate spin and tight fielding led to a rapid collapse.

4. Turkey – 28 all out vs Luxembourg (2019)

Turkey appeared again, this time dismissed for 28 runs. The team was playing back-to-back T20Is and couldn’t recover from their earlier poor performance. Luxembourg’s bowlers capitalized on disciplined line and length.

5. Isle of Man – 28 all out vs Spain (2023)

This recent embarrassment caught global attention. Spain bowled out the Isle of Man for 28 runs, thanks to relentless pressure and swing bowling. The game highlighted how even decent sides can fall apart under the right conditions.

Conditions That Contributed to These Low Scores

• Pitch behavior is a significant factor.
  • Slow, turning tracks (e.g., Sharjah, Lucknow) make shot-making difficult.
  • Example: West Indies bowled out for 45 vs England in 2019 at St. Kitts, where the pitch had steep bounce and seam movement
• Weather conditions influence match outcomes.
  • High humidity helps bowlers swing the ball more.
  • Damp pitches after rain can cause uneven bounce.
  • Moisture under lights in day-night matches often leads to tricky chases and collapses.
• Venue-specific characteristics add to the challenge.
  • Grounds like Mirpur (Bangladesh) and Providence (Guyana) are known for slow outfields and spin-friendly wickets.
  • Visiting teams often struggle in the power play due to unfamiliar pitch behavior.

Notable Low Scores by Major Cricketing Nations

Even the strongest cricket teams have suffered shocking collapses in T20 Internationals. While high scores dominate headlines, low scores often tell more dramatic stories. Here are some of the most notable low totals by cricketing giants like India, Australia, Pakistan, and England.

India’s Lowest T20 Score

India’s lowest T20I total came against Australia on February 28, 2020, when they were bowled out for just 74 runs in Sydney. Chasing a modest target, India’s top order crumbled under the swing and pace of the Aussie attack. Ashton Agar starred with a five-wicket haul, ripping through India’s middle order. The collapse raised serious questions about India’s approach to chasing under pressure.

Australia’s Lowest T20 Score

Australia hit rock bottom against Bangladesh on August 3, 2021, when they managed only 62 runs in Dhaka, their lowest T20I score ever. The turning track and tight spin bowling by Bangladesh left the Aussie lineup clueless. Shakib Al Hasan and Nasum Ahmed dismantled their batting in under 14 overs. It was a humbling defeat for a team known for dominating global tournaments.

Pakistan and England’s Lowest T20 Scores

Pakistan’s worst T20 collapse came in 2012 against South Africa, where they scored just 74 runs. A lethal spell by Dale Steyn set the tone early, and the rest followed like dominoes. On the other hand, England’s lowest T20I total of 80 all out was recorded against India in 2012. The spinning duo of Jadeja and Chahal made scoring nearly impossible on a slow pitch.

Factors Behind Extremely Low Scores in T20Is

T20 cricket is built for big hits and quick runs, but when teams collapse for shockingly low scores, it grabs headlines worldwide. So, what leads to these batting disasters? Let’s break down the main reasons behind some of the lowest T20 scores in international cricket.

Pitch and Weather Conditions

A pitch can make or break a T20 innings. Flat pitches offer true bounce and favor batters, but when the surface is green, sticky, or dry with cracks, it becomes a nightmare. The ball can grip, turn, or bounce awkwardly, making shot-making almost impossible.

For example, in a 2023 T20I at Sharjah, Afghanistan bowled out the UAE for just 55. The pitch was slow and uneven, offering turn and variable bounce from the start. Similarly, matches played under overcast skies, especially in places like England or New Zealand, often assist swing bowlers early on. When the ball moves both ways, even experienced top-order batters can fall cheaply, leading to embarrassing totals.

Quality of Bowling Attack

When elite bowlers are in form, even the best teams struggle. Think of bowlers like Rashid Khan, Mitchell Starc, or Shaheen Afridi; they can dismantle a batting order in just a few overs. Left-arm seamers who angle the ball in, or leg-spinners who turn it sharply, create constant uncertainty.

Take India’s Deepak Chahar as an example. In 2019, he took six wickets for just seven runs against Bangladesh, including a hat-trick. Bangladesh were cruising until he broke their rhythm. The same year, Ireland dismissed the Netherlands for 44, thanks to consistent line and length from their pace bowlers, who exploited every weakness in the Dutch lineup.

Batting Collapse and Pressure Situations

Pressure builds fast in T20 cricket. A couple of early wickets, a few dot balls, and panic starts creeping in. Teams often try to hit their way out of trouble only to lose more wickets. This domino effect has caused some of the most dramatic collapses in T20I history.

In 2024, Uganda was bowled out for just 39 runs against the West Indies, one of the lowest T20 scores ever recorded. The pressure of facing international-quality pace and bounce, combined with tight fielding, made it impossible for their batters to settle. What began as a slow start quickly turned into a full-blown collapse.

Even big teams aren’t immune. In 2014, New Zealand were bowled out for 60 by Sri Lanka. The pressure of Lasith Malinga’s lethal yorkers and spin-friendly conditions triggered a complete batting failure.

Conclusion

T20 cricket is unpredictable, that’s what makes it thrilling. But when a team collapses for a shockingly low score, it grabs headlines for all the wrong reasons. These moments remind us how quickly momentum can shift, no matter how strong the lineup is.

The lowest T20 score in international cricket isn’t just a number, it’s a lesson in pressure, pitch conditions, and the brutal pace of the shortest format. Whether it’s Turkey’s infamous 21 all out or a top-ranked team caught off guard, each instance reflects the unforgiving nature of T20 cricket.