Lowest score in T20 World Cup: Uganda, Netherlands hold embarrassing record

Uganda and the Netherlands hold the unwanted record for the lowest score in T20 World Cup history.

The Brian Masaba-led Uganda national cricket team equalled the lowest score in T20 World Cup after they were skittled out for 39 against the West Indies in a T20 World Cup 2024 Group C match at the Providence Stadium in Guyana.

Earlier, the Netherlands were bundled out for 39 against Sri Lanka during a T20 World Cup match in 2014 in Chattogram, Bangladesh.

The Netherlands once again features on the embarrassing list of the lowest scores in the T20 World Cup after they collapsed to 44 all out against the same opposition in the 2021 edition of the marquee ICC tournament in Sharjah.

Meanwhile, the West Indies cricket team has the record for the lowest score in T20 World Cup history among ICC full-member nations.

West Indies were bowled out for 55 against England during a T20 World Cup group match in Dubai in 2021.

In the semi-final 1 of the T20 World Cup 2024, South Africa knocked out Afghanistan. Batting first, the Rashid Khan-led team could manage a meagre 56 runs in 11.5 overs. The top-scorer for Afghanistan was Azmatullah Omarzai, making 10 runs in 12 balls. For South Africa, both Marco Jansen and Tabraiz Shamsi picked up three wickets each to stun Afghanistan. Later, the Aiden Markram-led contingent chased down the target of 57 runs in 8.5 overs to enter the Final of the marquee event. 

Apart from the Netherlands, Uganda, the West Indies and Afghanistan, the likes of New Zealand, Scotland, Ireland and Hong Kong have also been skittled out for less than 70 in T20 World Cup history. Know lowest score in T20 World Cup across all editions.

Lowest score in T20 World Cup

Uganda | 39 vs West Indies | 2024

The Uganda national cricket team equalled the record for the lowest total in T20 World Cup history in 2024. During a T20 World Cup 2024 group match, Uganda collapsed to 39 all out in 12 overs while chasing West Indies' 173/5 at the Providence Stadium in Guyana. For Uganda, Juma Miyagi (13) was the only batter to reach double digits. Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein was the wrecker-in-chief for the West Indies with his match-winning figures of 4-0-11-5. Earlier, Johnson Charles (44), Andre Russell (30 not out), Rovman Powell (23), Sherfane Rutherford (22) and Nicholas Pooran (22) powered West Indies to 173/5 in their allotted overs. West Indies won the game by 134 runs.

Netherlands | 39 vs Sri Lanka | 2014

The Netherlands registered the lowest total in T20 World Cup history in March 2014. Put in to bat, the Peter Borren-led Netherlands were shot out for 39 in 10.3 overs against Sri Lanka during a T20 World Cup group match in Chattogram. All-rounder Angelo Mathews and right-arm off-spinner Ajantha Mendis picked up three wickets each to help Sri Lanka bowl out the Netherlands for an embarrassing total. For the Netherlands, Tom Cooper (16) was the only batter to reach double digits. In reply, Sri Lanka chased down the target in just five overs to register a comprehensive nine-wicket win in Bangladesh. 

Netherlands | 44 vs Sri Lanka | 2021

The Netherlands also recorded the second-lowest total in T20 World Cup history. During the seventh edition of the T20 World Cup in 2021, the Netherlands were bundled out for 44 against Sri Lanka in Sharjah. Led by captain Pieter Seelaar, the Netherlands lost wickets at regular intervals as they were skittled out for another humiliating total. Colin Ackermann top-scored with 11 off nine balls. Lahiru Kumara and Wanindu Hasaranga scalped three wickets each, while Maheesh Theekshana took two wickets for Sri Lanka. Later, Sri Lanka rode on Kusal Perera’s 33 off 24 balls to chase down the target in 7.1 overs as they won the game by eight wickets.

West Indies | 55 vs England | 2021

West Indies feature third on the list for the lowest total in T20 World Cup history. The Kieron Pollard-led West Indies were shot out for 55 in 14.2 overs against England during a T20 World Cup group match in Dubai in 2021. Put into bat, the star-studded Caribbean outfit were skittled out for an embarrassing total on a tricky pitch in Dubai. Legendary West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle (13) was the lone batter who reached double digits. Leg-spinner Adil Rashid was the wrecker-in-chief for England with impressive figures of 4/2 in his 2.2 overs. In reply, Eoin Morgan’s England lost early wickets but later won the game by six wickets.

Photo credit: Alamy