Uganda holds the unwanted record for the lowest team total in T20 World Cup history, having been dismissed for just 39 runs against West Indies in Providence during the 2024 edition.
The T20 World Cup has seen several batting collapses, with teams crumpling under pressure from exceptional bowling attacks and challenging conditions.
These dismal performances showcase the other side of T20 cricket, where even the shortest format can produce shockingly low totals. Let’s take a look at the list of lowest team totals in T20 World Cup history.
Top 10 Lowest Team Totals In T20 World Cup
The T20 World Cup has seen some dramatic batting collapses, with teams failing to cope with quality bowling and pressure situations. Here are the ten lowest totals ever recorded in the tournament’s history.
| Rank | Team | Score | Overs | Run Rate | Opposition | Venue | Match Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uganda | 39 | 12 | 3.25 | West Indies | Providence | Jun 08, 2024 | Lost by 134 runs |
| 2 | Netherlands | 39 | 10.3 | 3.71 | Sri Lanka | Chattogram | Mar 24, 2014 | Lost by 9 wickets |
| 3 | Uganda | 40 | 18.4 | 2.14 | New Zealand | Tarouba | Jun 14, 2024 | Lost by 9 wickets |
| 4 | Netherlands | 44 | 10 | 4.40 | Sri Lanka | Sharjah | Oct 22, 2021 | Lost by 8 wickets |
| 5 | Oman | 47 | 13.2 | 3.52 | England | North Sound | Jun 13, 2024 | Lost by 8 wickets |
| 6 | West Indies | 55 | 14.2 | 3.83 | England | Dubai (DICS) | Oct 23, 2021 | Lost by 6 wickets |
| 7 | Afghanistan | 56 | 11.5 | 4.73 | South Africa | Tarouba | Jun 26, 2024 | Lost by 9 wickets |
| 8 | Uganda | 58 | 16 | 3.62 | Afghanistan | Providence | Jun 03, 2024 | Lost by 125 runs |
| 9 | New Zealand | 60 | 15.3 | 3.87 | Sri Lanka | Chattogram | Mar 31, 2014 | Lost by 59 runs |
| 10 | Scotland | 60 | 10.2 | 5.80 | Afghanistan | Sharjah | Oct 25, 2021 | Lost by 130 runs |
1. Uganda vs West Indies – 39 (Providence, 2024)
Uganda suffered a humiliating collapse against West Indies at Providence, being bowled out for just 39 in 12 overs, the lowest total in T20 World Cup history. Akeal Hosein was the destroyer-in-chief, claiming a remarkable 5/11 in 4 overs with 19 dot balls.
Juma Miyagi top-scored with 13 not out off 20 balls, while Robinson Obuya added 6 and Alpesh Ramjani made 5. Simon Ssesazi (4) and Roger Mukasa (0) fell early as Uganda lost their first wicket on the second ball.
Alzarri Joseph took 2/6, while Andre Russell, Romario Shepherd, and Gudakesh Motie claimed one wicket each. Earlier, West Indies had posted 173/5 in their 20 overs with Andre Russell’s unbeaten 30 off 17 balls and Johnson Charles’ 44 off 42 balls leading the way, before bowling Uganda out to secure a massive 134-run victory.
| Match Summary | Details |
|---|---|
| West Indies Innings | 173/5 (20 overs) |
| Uganda Innings | 39 all out (12 overs) |
| Man of the Match | Akeal Hosein (5/11) |
| Venue | Providence |
| Result | West Indies won by 134 runs |
2. Netherlands vs Sri Lanka – 39 (Chattogram, 2014)
Netherlands equaled Uganda’s record low, collapsing to 39 all out in just 10.3 overs against Sri Lanka in Chattogram.
Tom Cooper was the only batsman to show resistance, top-scoring with 16 off 18 balls, while Ben Cooper added 8 off 10 balls. Angelo Mathews led the bowling attack with 3/16 in 4 overs, while Ajantha Mendis claimed 3/12 in 2.3 overs. Lasith Malinga took 2/5, and Nuwan Kulasekara grabbed 1/10. Stephan Myburgh (0), Michael Swart (0), Wesley Barresi (1), and Peter Borren (0) all fell cheaply as Netherlands lost their first three wickets for just 1 run.
The powerplay yielded only 15 runs for 4 wickets. Sri Lanka chased down the target comfortably, reaching 40/1 in just 5 overs with Kusal Perera (14) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (12 not out) guiding them to a comprehensive 9-wicket victory with 90 balls remaining.
| Match Summary | Details |
|---|---|
| Netherlands Innings | 39 all out (10.3 overs) |
| Sri Lanka Innings | 40/1 (5 overs) |
| Man of the Match | Not specified |
| Venue | Chattogram |
| Result | Netherlands lost by 9 wickets |
3. Uganda vs New Zealand – 40 (Tarouba, 2024)
Uganda’s batting woes continued as they were dismissed for 40 in 18.4 overs against New Zealand in Tarouba. Kenneth Waiswa showed some resistance with 11 off 18 balls, while Fred Achelam contributed 9 off 13 balls and Dinesh Nakrani made 4 off 13 balls.
Mitchell Santner claimed 2/8 in 3.4 overs, while Tim Southee took 3/14 in 4 overs with remarkable precision. Trent Boult grabbed 2/17, and Lockie Ferguson picked up 1/9. Uganda lost both openers, Simon Ssesazi (0) and Robinson Obuya (0), in the first over by Trent Boult.
The powerplay produced just 9 runs for 3 wickets as Uganda struggled throughout. New Zealand chased down the meager target easily, reaching 41/1 in just 5.2 overs with Devon Conway remaining unbeaten on 22 off 15 balls, securing a comfortable 9-wicket victory with 88 balls to spare.
| Match Summary | Details |
|---|---|
| Uganda Innings | 40 all out (18.4 overs) |
| New Zealand Innings | 41/1 (5.2 overs) |
| Man of the Match | Not specified |
| Venue | Tarouba |
| Result | Uganda lost by 9 wickets |
4. Netherlands vs Sri Lanka – 44 (Sharjah, 2021)
Netherlands suffered another batting collapse, managing just 44 all out in 10 overs against Sri Lanka in Sharjah. Colin Ackermann top-scored with 11 off 9 balls, while Ben Cooper added 9 off 8 balls and Scott Edwards made 8 off 13 balls.
Wanindu Hasaranga was the chief destroyer with 3/9 in 3 overs, while Lahiru Kumara claimed 3/17 in 3 overs. Maheesh Theekshana took 2/3 in 1 over, and Dushmantha Chameera grabbed 1/13. Max O’Dowd (2), Stephan Myburgh (5), Bas de Leede (0), and Roelof van der Merwe (0) all fell cheaply as Netherlands managed only 37 runs in the powerplay despite losing 6 wickets.
Sri Lanka comfortably chased down the target, reaching 45/2 in 7.1 overs with Kusal Perera’s unbeaten 33 off 24 balls steering them to an 8-wicket victory with 77 balls remaining.
| Match Summary | Details |
|---|---|
| Netherlands Innings | 44 all out (10 overs) |
| Sri Lanka Innings | 45/2 (7.1 overs) |
| Man of the Match | Not specified |
| Venue | Sharjah |
| Result | Netherlands lost by 8 wickets |
5. Oman vs England – 47 (North Sound, 2024)
Oman’s batting lineup crumbled against England’s formidable bowling attack, folding for 47 in 13.2 overs at North Sound. Shoaib Khan top-scored with 11 off 23 balls, while Kashyap Prajapati (9), Aqib Ilyas (8), and Kaleemullah (5) were the only other batsmen to reach single digits.
Adil Rashid was devastating with 4/11 in 4 overs, including 30 dot balls. Jofra Archer claimed 3/12 in 3.1 overs, while Mark Wood took 3/12 in 3 overs. The powerplay saw Oman reduced to 25/5 as Pratik Athavale (5), Zeeshan Maqsood (1), Khalid Kail (1), and Ayaan Khan (1) all departed cheaply.
England chased down the target in just 3.1 overs, racing to 50/2 with Jos Buttler remaining unbeaten on 24 off 8 balls, completing an 8-wicket victory with 101 balls to spare.
| Match Summary | Details |
|---|---|
| Oman Innings | 47 all out (13.2 overs) |
| England Innings | 50/2 (3.1 overs) |
| Man of the Match | Not specified |
| Venue | North Sound |
| Result | Oman lost by 8 wickets |
6. West Indies vs England – 55 (Dubai, 2021)
In a shocking collapse, West Indies were bowled out for just 55 in 14.2 overs against England in Dubai. Chris Gayle top-scored with 13 off 13 balls, while Shimron Hetmyer made 9 off 9 balls and Akeal Hosein remained unbeaten on 6 off 13 balls.
Adil Rashid destroyed the middle and lower order with 4/2 in 2.2 overs, while Moeen Ali claimed 2/17 in 4 overs. Tymal Mills and Chris Woakes picked up one wicket each. Evin Lewis (6), Lendl Simmons (3), Nicholas Pooran (1), and Andre Russell (0) all failed as West Indies slumped to 31/4 in the powerplay.
England chased down the target comfortably in 8.2 overs, reaching 56/4 with Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 24 off 22 balls guiding them to a 6-wicket victory with 70 balls remaining, despite Akeal Hosein’s 2/24.
| Match Summary | Details |
|---|---|
| West Indies Innings | 55 all out (14.2 overs) |
| England Innings | 56/4 (8.2 overs) |
| Man of the Match | Not specified |
| Venue | Dubai (DICS) |
| Result | West Indies lost by 6 wickets |
7. Afghanistan vs South Africa – 56 (Tarouba, 2024)
Afghanistan suffered a dramatic collapse in the semi-final against South Africa, managing only 56 runs in 11.5 overs at Tarouba. Azmatullah Omarzai top-scored with 10 off 12 balls, while Gulbadin Naib (9), Rashid Khan (8), and Karim Janat (8) tried to resist.
Marco Jansen led the South African bowling attack with 3/16 in 3 overs, while Tabraiz Shamsi claimed 3/6 in 1.5 overs. Kagiso Rabada took 2/14 and Anrich Nortje grabbed 2/7. Afghanistan lost both openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (0) and Ibrahim Zadran (2) early, while Mohammad Nabi (0) also fell for a duck. The powerplay yielded just 28 runs for 5 wickets.
South Africa chased down the target comfortably in 8.5 overs, reaching 60/1 with Reeza Hendricks’ unbeaten 29 off 25 balls securing a 9-wicket victory with 67 balls to spare.
| Match Summary | Details |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan Innings | 56 all out (11.5 overs) |
| South Africa Innings | 60/1 (8.5 overs) |
| Man of the Match | Not specified |
| Venue | Tarouba |
| Result | Afghanistan lost by 9 wickets |
8. Uganda vs Afghanistan – 58 (Providence, 2024)
Uganda’s batting struggles continued as they were dismissed for 58 in 16 overs against Afghanistan at Providence. Riazat Ali Shah showed the most resistance with 11 off 34 balls, while Robinson Obuya contributed 14 off 25 balls and Bilal Hassan made 8 off 16 balls.
Fazalhaq Farooqi was exceptional with 5/9 in 4 overs at an economy of 2.25. Rashid Khan claimed 2/12, Naveen-ul-Haq took 2/4, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman grabbed 1/16. Uganda lost both openers Ronak Patel (4) and Roger Mukasa (0) in the first over, while Simon Ssesazi (4), Dinesh Nakrani (6), and Alpesh Ramjani (0) all fell cheaply.
The powerplay yielded only 21 runs for 5 wickets. Earlier, Afghanistan had posted 183/5 with Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 76 off 45 balls and Ibrahim Zadran’s 70 off 46 balls, before bowling Uganda out to secure a commanding 125-run victory.
| Match Summary | Details |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan Innings | 183/5 (20 overs) |
| Uganda Innings | 58 all out (16 overs) |
| Man of the Match | Not specified |
| Venue | Providence |
| Result | Uganda lost by 125 runs |
9. New Zealand vs Sri Lanka – 60 (Chattogram, 2014)
New Zealand suffered a batting collapse for the ages, being bowled out for 60 in 15.3 overs against Sri Lanka in Chattogram. Kane Williamson fought alone with 42 off 43 balls, while Martin Guptill (5), Brendon McCullum (0), Ross Taylor (0), and James Neesham (0) all failed.
Rangana Herath was the chief destroyer with 5/3 in 3.5 overs, one of the greatest bowling performances in T20 World Cup history. Sachithra Senanayake claimed 2/3 in 3 overs. The Kiwis lost 4 wickets for just 23 runs in the powerplay, including three ducks. Luke Ronchi (2), Nathan McCullum (2), Kyle Mills (4), and Trent Boult (3) offered little resistance.
Earlier, Sri Lanka had posted 119 all out in 19.2 overs with Mahela Jayawardene’s 25 and Lahiru Thirimanne’s 20 being the top scores, before bowling New Zealand out to win by 59 runs.
| Match Summary | Details |
|---|---|
| Sri Lanka Innings | 119 all out (19.2 overs) |
| New Zealand Innings | 60 all out (15.3 overs) |
| Man of the Match | Not specified |
| Venue | Chattogram |
| Result | New Zealand lost by 59 runs |
10. Scotland vs Afghanistan – 60 (Sharjah, 2021)
Scotland were bowled out for just 60 in 10.2 overs in a comprehensive defeat to Afghanistan in Sharjah. George Munsey top-scored with 25 off 18 balls, while Chris Greaves added 12 off 12 balls, but no other batsman reached double figures.
Rashid Khan was devastating with 4/9 in 2.2 overs, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman claimed 4/20 in 4 overs. Mohammad Nabi and Karim Janat picked up one wicket each. Scotland lost three wickets on 28 runs as Kyle Coetzer (10), Calum MacLeod (0), and Richie Berrington (0) fell in quick succession. Matthew Cross (0) and Michael Leask (0) also failed to score.
The powerplay yielded 37 runs for 5 wickets. Earlier, Afghanistan had posted an imposing 190/4 with Najibullah Zadran’s explosive 59 off 34 balls and Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 46 off 37 balls, before dismissing Scotland to secure a massive 130-run victory.
| Match Summary | Details |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan Innings | 190/4 (20 overs) |
| Scotland Innings | 60 all out (10.2 overs) |
| Man of the Match | Not specified |
| Venue | Sharjah |
| Result | Scotland lost by 130 runs |
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Conclusion: 39/10 Is The Lowest Score Set by Uganda In The T20 World Cup
The T20 World Cup has witnessed some catastrophic batting collapses, with Uganda featuring three times in the top 10 lowest totals, including the all-time low of 39. These dismal performances highlight the pressure and challenges teams face against quality bowling attacks in world-class tournaments.
From Akeal Hosein’s 5/11 to Rangana Herath’s extraordinary 5/3, these matches have showcased exceptional bowling spells that completely dismantled opposition batting lineups, proving that even in the batting-friendly T20 format, bowlers can dominate proceedings and create history.
