T20 cricket is full of surprises, which is why it gives spectators the chills whenever they watch. There is no denying that the T20 format gained popularity so much that it completely altered the nature of the game. The manner of playing in the other two forms has also been impacted. Throughout the T20 match, teams and players have left their marks on history for both positive and negative causes. 

Fans have seen teams score enormous sums of points much faster, including some who finish at the other end of the spectrum with the lowest totals. Now, even in ODI and test cricket, no target is safe.

Many teams have been known to play wildly and outside their comfort zones. Teams are scoring 250 or more in 20 overs on average. If we talk about big numbers, Afghanistan’s 278/3 score in T20 international cricket is the highest ever. But do you know the lowest score in a T20 international comes from one of the top teams?

Consequently, we shall discuss the lowest score by the leading test-playing nations here.

Top 10 Lowest Scores in T20 International Cricket

Sydney Thunders (15 runs) vs Adelaide Strikers

Sydney Thunders scored the lowest T20 score ever on 16 December 2022 in Sydney when playing Adelaide Strikers in the Australia T20 Big Bash League 2022–23; the side was bowled out for only 15 runs. The Sydney hitters, who needed to score 140 runs to win, were knocked out in just 5.5 overs with a run rate of 2.72. Most of the harm was done by pacers Henry Thorton (5/3) and Wes Agar (4/6). In addition, 5 players scored 0, and the whole Sydney innings includes only 1 boundary hit.

Turkey (21 runs) vs Czech Republic

Turkey scored the 2nd-lowest T20 international score against the Czech Republic on 30 Aug 2019 in Ilfov County. The Czech Republic chose to bat first after winning the toss in a Continental cup game. The Czech squad posted a massive score of 278/4 in their 20 overs, the biggest score in T20, riding on a 35-ball century from their ace batsman Sudesh Wickramasekara.

The only batsman to reach double figures for Turkey was Mehmet Sert (12), who was bowled out for just 21 in response after 8.3 overs with a run rate of 2.53. As a result, they scored the lowest total ever in T20 internationals and suffered a humiliating 257-run loss.

Lesotho (26 runs) vs Uganda

Turkey scored the 3rd-lowest T20 international score against Uganda on 19 Oct 2021 in Kigali. In their match against Uganda in Group A of the T20 World cup sub-regional Africa qualifier in 2021, Lesotho could only muster 26 runs in 12.4 overs with a run rate of 2.05.

Dinesh Nakrani of Uganda had a fantastic stint, taking six wickets and only allowed seven runs on the field. Samir Patel, the Lesotho captain, was the sole hitter on the team with a double-digit score as they had 10 runs on the scoreboard. Uganda finished the game at 3.4 and won the match by 10 wickets.

Turkey (28 runs) vs Luxembourg

Turkey finished with just 28 runs in 11.3 overs with a run rate of 2.47 against Luxembourg in the Continental cup on 29 Aug 2019 at Ilfov County, placing the team at the 4th-lowest total ever recorded. As the entire team finished with single digits to their names, Turkey’s batting innings scorecard might be somewhat comparable to a phone number.

Even though starter Hasan Helva only managed to score seven runs, Luxembourg’s extras (wide and Legbyes) matched the opposing team’s greatest individual score. Furthermore, Ankush Nanda enjoyed taking out a fifer (5/6) for the bowling team.

Tripura (30 runs) vs Jharkhand

Tripura was bowled out for 30 runs in 11.1 overs with a run rate of 2.07 against Jharkhand in the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy on 20 October 2009 at Dhanbad, placing them 5th on the list of lowest T20 international scores. Tripura, after batting first, only managed to score 30 runs with no player hitting the double-digit; the whole innings included only 1 boundary hit. Jharkhand finished the game in 3.2 overs and won by ten wickets with 100 balls remaining.

Thailand (30 runs) vs Malaysia

In the Quadrangular Twenty20 series matchup against Malaysia on 4 July 2022 at Bangi, Thailand went out in 13.1 overs for a total of 30 at a run rate of 2.29, which the opposing team chased down in under 4 overs.

Mali (30 runs) vs Rwanda

Mali is one of just two teams to have scored 30 runs against Rwanda over four days on November 24, 2022, in Kigali, placing them among the lowest totals. After winning the toss, Rwanda elected to bowl first and knocked out Mali for 30 runs in 12.3 overs at a run rate of 2.3. As a result, Rwanda won the game by 10 wickets with 105 balls remaining.

Mali (30 runs) vs Kenya

Mali scored the 8th-lowest T20 international score in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup sub-regional Africa qualifier group A against Kenya on 20 November 2022 at Brondby. Kenya bowled out Mali for only 30 runs in 10.4 overs at a run rate of 2.8. After winning the toss, Mali elected to bat first and score only 30 runs, with only a single player hitting the double-digit mark. As a result, Kenya won the game by 10 wickets.

Turkey (32 runs) vs Austria

Turkey recorded the 9th-lowest T20 international score when they played against Austria in the Continental Cup on 31 August 2019 at Kigali. Turkey decided to bat first after winning the toss. However, it was an embarrassing day for the Turkish batter as they bowled out for 32 runs in 8.5 overs at a run rate of 3.62. As a result, Austria won the game by 10 wickets.

Finland (33 runs) vs Denmark

Finland is 10th on the list of scoring the lowest ever in T20 international cricket. On 7 May 2022, Finland was playing against Denmark at Brondby. After winning the toss, Finland decided to field first, and Denmark put 171 runs on the board. In response, Finland was bowled out for 33 runs in 13 overs, losing the game by 138 runs.

Top 10 Lowest Scores in T20 International Cricket

There are several valid reasons for these subpar low-score assessments. Possibly throw? Or the surroundings? The team may need to understand the pitch better. No, most definitely not, as both teams play on the same field and in the same surroundings. They might have been the outcome of overconfidence, misfortune, or simply, failure to hit the ball out of the park. Nevertheless, these dismal results are unquestionably a significant blemish on these clubs’ records. And these numbers demonstrate that if a batter can garner attention, so can a bowler.