The lowest T20 International score belongs to the Ivory Coast, who scored just 7 runs against Nigeria in 2024. The team got bowled out in only 7.3 overs at the Nigeria Cricket Federation Oval in Abuja. No batsman in the lineup managed to score more than 4 runs. The Nigerian bowlers completely dominated the match from start to finish.
This score broke the previous record held by Mongolia, which scored 10 runs against Singapore in 2024. The Isle of Man also scored 10 runs against Spain in 2023. These ultra-low scores show how tough T20 cricket can be for developing cricket nations.
Top 20 Lowest Scores In T20 International History
Here are the 20 lowest team totals ever recorded in T20 International matches:
| Rank | Team | Score | Overs | Against | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ivory Coast | 7 | 7.3 | Nigeria | Abuja | 2024 |
| 2 | Mongolia | 10 | 10.0 | Singapore | Bangi | 2024 |
| 3 | Isle of Man | 10 | 8.4 | Spain | Cartagena | 2023 |
| 4 | Mongolia | 12 | 8.2 | Japan | Sano | 2024 |
| 5 | Mongolia | 17 | 14.2 | Hong Kong | Kuala Lumpur | 2024 |
| 6 | Mali | 18 | 12.5 | Tanzania | Dar-es-Salaam | 2024 |
| 7 | Ivory Coast | 21 | 10.4 | Sierra Leone | Abuja | 2024 |
| 8 | Turkey | 21 | 8.3 | Czech Republic | Ilfov County | 2019 |
| 9 | China | 23 | 11.2 | Malaysia | Kuala Lumpur | 2023 |
| 10 | Mali | 24 | 10.3 | Ghana | Dar-es-Salaam | 2024 |
| 11 | Rwanda | 24 | 6.1 | Nigeria | Lagos | 2023 |
| 12 | Ivory Coast | 26 | 18.4 | St Helena | Abuja | 2024 |
| 13 | Mongolia | 26 | 15.2 | Japan | Sano | 2024 |
| 14 | Lesotho | 26 | 12.4 | Uganda | Kigali | 2021 |
| 15 | China | 26 | 10.5 | Thailand | Kuala Lumpur | 2023 |
| 16 | Falkland Islands | 28 | 12.1 | Costa Rica | Guacima | 2025 |
| 17 | Turkey | 28 | 11.3 | Luxembourg | Ilfov County | 2019 |
| 18 | Indonesia | 29 | 10.5 | Japan | Incheon | 2024 |
| 19 | Thailand | 30 | 13.1 | Malaysia | Bangi | 2022 |
| 20 | Mali | 30 | 12.3 | Rwanda | Kigali | 2022 |
Mongolia appears five times on the top-20 list. The team clearly struggled during their early years in international T20 cricket. Most of these collapses happened in qualifying tournaments and regional competitions.
Ivory Coast appears three times on this list, with all three scores recorded in 2024. Their record-breaking score of 7 came during the World Cup Sub-Regional Africa Qualifier. The team faced strong bowling attacks that they couldn’t handle.
Lowest Score In T20 International Cricket By Full Member Nations
Full member nations rarely score this low, but dramatic collapses still happen. The major cricket-playing countries have also experienced shocking batting failures.
West Indies Hold The Record
West Indies scored 45 runs against England in 2019 at Basseterre, St Kitts. This stands as the lowest T20I score by any full member nation. England’s bowlers dominated completely.
Chris Jordan took 4 wickets for just 6 runs. The entire West Indies innings lasted only 11.5 overs.
The team that usually plays explosive cricket found itself unable to score. Even their big hitters failed to connect with the ball. The pitch offered some assistance to the bowlers, but the batting collapse extended beyond pitch conditions.
Top 10 Lowest Scores By Full Member Nations
Here are the 10 lowest T20I scores among teams with full ICC membership:
| Rank | Team | Score | Against | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Indies | 45 | England | Basseterre | 2019 |
| 2 | West Indies | 55 | England | Dubai | 2021 |
| 3 | Afghanistan | 56 | South Africa | Trinidad | 2024 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 60 | Bangladesh | Mirpur | 2021 |
| 5 | New Zealand | 60 | Sri Lanka | Chattogram | 2014 |
| 6 | West Indies | 60 | Pakistan | Karachi | 2018 |
| 7 | Australia | 62 | Bangladesh | Mirpur | 2021 |
| 8 | New Zealand | 66 | India | Ahmedabad | 2023 |
| 9 | Ireland | 68 | West Indies | Providence | 2010 |
| 10 | Bangladesh | 70 | New Zealand | Kolkata | 2016 |
The West Indies appears three times in this list. The team known for powerful hitting has experienced multiple batting disasters. Their style of aggressive cricket sometimes leads to complete collapses.
New Zealand also features three times. Even consistent teams like the Kiwis can struggle badly on difficult days. Afghanistan’s score of 56 came in a crucial World Cup semi-final, demonstrating that pressure can produce unexpected results.
Why Do Teams Score So Low In T20 Cricket?
Several factors lead to these ultra-low scores:
Poor pitch conditions can make batting extremely difficult. Uneven bounce or excessive seam movement can trouble even good batsmen. Teams playing on unfamiliar surfaces struggle more than home teams.
Strong Bowling Performances create pressure from both ends. When bowlers find rhythm and take early wickets, batting teams panic. The fear of getting out makes batsmen play poor shots.
Lack of Experience affects developing nations the most. Players who rarely face quality bowling find T20 International cricket overwhelming. The gap in skill levels shows clearly in the final scores.
Pressure Situations in important matches cause batting collapses. Teams trying to save face or qualify for tournaments often crumble under stress. Mental strength matters as much as technique.
Poor Shot Selection accelerates the downfall. Batsmen trying to hit every ball for boundaries lose their wickets quickly. T20 cricket requires intelligent batting, not merely aggressive hitting.
Most Batting Collapses By Team
Some teams appear repeatedly in the list of lowest T20I scores:
- Mongolia leads with multiple entries in the bottom records. The team faced serious challenges adapting to international T20 cricket. Their scores of 10, 12, 17, 26, and 31 came within a short period.
- Mali also struggled frequently. The West African nation appears multiple times with scores under 40 runs. Their bowling might be stronger than their batting lineup.
- Ivory Coast experienced several disasters in 2024. In addition to the record low of 7, they scored 21, 26, and 31 in different matches. The team needs significant development in batting skills.
- Turkey experienced difficulties during the 2019 Continental Cup. They scored 21, 28, and 32 runs in various matches, indicating consistent weakness in batting.
Lowest Scores In Major T20 Tournaments
Even in major tournaments, teams have recorded shockingly low scores:
Afghanistan’s 56 vs South Africa – 2024 T20 World Cup Semi-Final
Afghanistan’s 56 in the 2024 T20 World Cup came against South Africa in a semi-final.
The team that had played excellent cricket throughout the tournament collapsed when it mattered most. The pressure of a knockout match proved too much.
Netherlands’ 39-Run Collapse vs Sri Lanka – 2014 T20 World Cup
The Netherlands’ 39-run collapse against Sri Lanka in the 2014 T20 World Cup remains one of the most dramatic in a major tournament.
The Dutch team lost all 10 wickets for just 39 runs in 10.3 overs.
Uganda’s 39-Run Loss vs West Indies – 2024 T20 World Cup
Uganda’s 39-run loss to the West Indies in the 2024 T20 World Cup highlighted the gap between established and developing nations.
Despite their brave efforts throughout the tournament, Uganda couldn’t handle the Caribbean pace attack.
These collapses remind us that T20 cricket’s unpredictability extends to major events. No team is safe from a dramatic batting failure.
Records And Statistics
Some interesting facts about the lowest T20I scores:
| Category | Record / Detail | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Most Sub-50 Scores | Mongolia | Holds the record for multiple scores under 50 (including totals as low as 10, 12, and 17). |
| Fastest Collapse | Rwanda (24 all out) | Dismissed in just 6.1 overs against Nigeria in 2023. |
| Full Member Low | West Indies (45 all out) | The lowest-ever T20I score for a Full Member (Test-playing) nation. |
| Regional Pattern | African Nations | Frequent appearances (e.g., Mali, Rwanda, and Ivory Coast) reflect developmental hurdles in the region. |
How Teams Recover From Low Scores
Teams that score very low need time to rebuild confidence. Most developing nations use these experiences as learning opportunities. Better coaching, more practice facilities, and regular international exposure help teams improve.
Some teams have shown significant progress after early disasters. The key lies in learning from mistakes rather than giving up. Investment in youth development and cricket infrastructure makes a real difference.
More Related Topics:
Conclusion: Cricket’s Unpredictable Nature
The lowest scores in T20 International cricket tell fascinating stories. From the Ivory Coast’s record low of 7 runs to West Indies’ 45, these matches show how quickly fortunes can change.
T20 cricket’s fast pace creates opportunities for dramatic collapses. Even the strongest teams can crumble under pressure. For developing nations, these low scores highlight the work needed to compete internationally.
Every low score teaches valuable lessons. Teams learn about pressure, technique, and mental strength. As cricket grows globally, we’ll likely see fewer extreme collapses as more nations develop their skills.
The game’s beauty lies in its unpredictability. No score is safe, and no chase is impossible. That’s what makes T20 cricket thrilling for fans worldwide.
