The lowest totals defended in T20Is
T20 is undoubtedly a batter’s game with the bowlers looking to somehow restrict the batters. Teams have chased formidable totals in the game with many games going down to the wire in international cricket. However, there have been several instances when the bowling unit has shown immense character and defended low totals. Here are the lowest totals defended in T20Is:
3. 113/5 – Defended by West Indies vs England (88/10), The Oval, 2011
The two-time T20 champions West Indies registered a below-par score in the two-match series against England. The Men in Maroon were bundled out for 113 in their allotted 20 overs. However, the left-arm spinner Garey Mathurin wreaked havoc as he produced a remarkable spell of 3 for 9 in four overs and West Indies secured a shock 25-run victory at The Oval to share the series at 1-1.
2. 105/10 – Defended by Zimbabwe vs West Indies (79/7), Port-of-Spain, 2010
West Indies had to suffer a humiliating defeat at the hands of Zimbabwe at Port-of-Spain in 2010. With the help of Hamilton Masakadza’s 44 and Elton Chigumbura’s 34, the visiting team managed to score 105 runs. In reply, an excellent bowling display from former skipper Graeme Cremer ensured that the Men in Maroon were restricted to 79/7 in their allotted 20 overs.
1. 96/9 – Defended by West Indies vs Ireland (85/8), Kingston, 2014
West Indies’ name comes once again on the list as their excellent bowling effort against Ireland in 2014 helped them to level the T20I series. West Indies bowlers used all their experience to win by 11 runs, after managing just 96 runs in the first innings. Batter Gary Wilson played a decent knock for his team but could not win the game for his side as Ireland failed to register their first-ever T20I series victory over a Test-playing nation.